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C" **i, 







USE YOUR 
GOVERNMENT 




Train demonstration of points of a good dairy cow on Erie R. R. in 

Ohio. 



' USE YOUR 
GOVERNMENT 

What Your Government 
Does For You 

BY 

ALISSA FRANC ^ 



YOU means man of business, farmer, exporter, home maker, 
school boy or school girl. In some way the Government 
helps each one of you. This book tells you how. The Govern- 
ment needs your help. You cannot give it unless you know 
how the Government operates. This book tells you how. 




NEW YORK 
E. P. BUTTON & COMPANY 

681 FIFTH AVENUE 



^ f \'^' 



t^(\ 



COPTBIGHT, 1918, 1/ 

E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY 



All rights resened 



APR-3l9i'3 ' 



printed t« the diitted States of Htnerica 

©GLA494420 ^ 



AUTHOR'S NOTE 

To most of us perhaps the Government seems to 
consist of a body of men wasting an undue amount of 
time and therefore money in the making of laws — 
some good, some bad, some indifferent. That we 
can make direct personal use of the Government 
whatever our calling in life may be, but few of us 
have ever realized. This book is an attempt to 
show how many and varied are the ways in which 
the Government co-operates with and serves the peo- 
ple of the United States. 

I wish to express my sincere thanks to those who 
by their courteous explanation of their work and by 
placing at my disposal data connected therewith, 
have made it possible for this volume to appear. 

Alissa Fkanc. 



CONTENTS 



PART I 
THE FARMER 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Planting and Growing of Crops ... 3 
II. Weather Reports 15 

III. Crop Estimates and Census op Agriculture 24 

IV. Controlling of Destructive Insects and 

Birds 33 

V. Fostering and Improving of Livestock. 

Dairying 41 

VI. Grazing on Forest Lands and Forest Fire 

Protection 45 

VII. Rural Roads and Rural Engineering . . 51 
VIII. Farm Management. Procuring of Farm 

Hands 56 

IX. Marketing. Regulatory Measures. Rural 

Organization 62 

X. Farm Finance 93 

XI. Investigations Concerning Diseases Preva- 
lent IN Rural Districts . . . 107 
XII. Courses for Parents Organized by the 

Bureau of Education . . . 112 

XIII. Government Assistance for Rural Schools 121 

XIV. Manner of Disseminating Information by 

THE Department of Agriculture . 125 
(a) Demonstration Work of the States 
Relations Service to: The Farmer, 
The Farmer's Wife, The Girls and 
Boys on the FzIrm .... 125 

vii 



viii Contents 

CHAPTER Vk(m 

(h) Office of Experiment Stations . . 143 

(c) Farmers' Institutes and Movable 

Schools 144 

(d) Office of Information, Office of 

Publications and Library . . 145 



PART II 

THE WOULD-BE SETTLER. 

I. The Disposition of Public Lands . . . 153 

II. Irrigation of Arid Districts at Actual Cost 161 

III. The Forest Service Work for the Settler 165 

IV. The Work of the Geological Survey . . 167 

PART III 

THE MAN IN BUSINESS 

I. General Assistance and Information Given 
TO Those Transacting Business at 
Home and Abroad . . . .171 

II. Special Work Done for Various Industries 215 
(a) The Mining Industry .... 215 
(h) The Fishing Industry .... 226 

(c) The Fur Trade 235 

(d) The Lumberman 237 

(e) The Shipper 238 

(/) Scientific Commercial Investigations 

v^iTH Agricultural Products . . 242 
(g) Development of Hydro-electric 

Power . . . . . .248 

(h) National Parks 249 

III. Protection Afforded the Business Man By : 

(a) The Federal Trade Commission . . 252 
(6) The Federal Reserve Board . . 258 
(c) The Interstate Commerce Commission 260 



Contents ix 

PART IV 
THE WORKING MAN 

PAGE 

I. Purpose of the Department of Labor . . 267 
II. Employment Service 268 

III. Information Concerning Labor Issued by 

THE Bureau of Labor Statistics . 274 

IV. Mediation in Disputes 277 

V. Investigations for the Safety and Health 

OF Miners 281 

vi. il-tvestigations relative to occupational 

Diseases and Industrial Hygiene . 284 

Community Organization . ^ . . 285 
Supervision of Seamen's Contracts . . 288 



PART V 
THE IMMIGRANT 

I. Care During Possible Detention at Immi- 
gration Stations .... 291 
II. Helping the Immigrant Get Employment . 294 

III. Teaching Immigrants Citizenship and 

English 296 

PART VI 
THE NEGRO 

I. Statistics and Detailed Report Concerning 
the Education of the Negro in All 
Parts of the United States . . 309 
II. Assistance Given to the Negro Farmer . 315 

III. Home Economics for the Negro Woman . 317 

IV. School and Home Gardening in Cities for 

Negro Children .... 319 



X Contents 

PART VII 
THE WOMAN IN HER HOME 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Investigations Made and Advice Given Con- 
cerning THE Practical Problems of 
THE Home 323 

II. Inspection of Foods, Drugs and Meat — 

Purifying op Water .... 331 

III. The Mother and Baby 336 

IV. Employment Service — ^Women's Division . 349 

PART VIII 
GIRLS AND BOYS 

I. What the Government Does to Assist Edu- 

cation 353 

II. Employment Service and Enforcement of 

Federal Child Labor Act . .368 

III. Reading Circles 370 

IV. School and Home Gardening . . .371 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND 
DIAGRAMS 

Train Demonstration of Points of a Good Dairy Cow 
on the Erie R. R. in Ohio .... Frontispiece 

PAGE 

Heaters in Operation after a Warning from the 

Weather Bureau 16 

Crop Reporters Waiting to Telegraph .... 16 
Specimen of Flood Warning Issued by the Weather 

Bureau . 20 

Specimen of Monthly Crop Report 25 

Spraying Cart used by Bureau of Entomology in 

Operations against the Gipsy and Brown Tail Moth 34 
Vaccinating Cattle against Black Leg with Vaccine 

Furnished Free of Charge by the Government . 41 

Dipping Cattle in Arsenical Solution to Kill Ticks . 41 

Dairy Meeting — How the Model of a Cow Stall was 
Used in Discussing Model Barns 43 

Poultry and Egg Packing Demonstrating Car of the 

Bureau of Chemistry 43 

Example of a Farmers' Bulletin 44 

Forest Rangers Fighting a Fire in the National For- 
ests 47 

Marking Timber for a Sale under Government Regu- 
lation 47 

Crops Drowned Out for Lack of Drainage ... 52 

Good Crops on the Same Land After Tile Drainage 
According to Instruction of Office Public Roads and 
Rural Engineering 52 

Notice Issued by the Department of Labor Concern- 
ing Employment of Farm Hands 61 

xi 



xii List of Illustrations and Diagrams 

PAGE 

Sketch Map Indicating Shipments of Fresh Toma- 
toes 66-67 

Diagram Issued by the Bureau of Markets ... 68 

Cotton Classification Laboratory, Final Inspection of 
Cotton Standards, Washington, D. C. ... 75 

A Complete Set of the Official Cotton Standards of the 
United States for American White Cotton ... 75 

Shipping Day of Live Stock Shipping Association. 
Farmers Delivering and Unloading Stock ... 78 

Engineer Engaged in Water Resources Measurements 
for the Geological Survey 78 

Diagram Showing Rates of Interest in Various States 93 

Chart Showing How Malaria Was Reduced in 1916 . 109 

Operating on Trachoma Patients at a Trachoma 
Clinic. U. S. Public Health Service .... 110 

These two Men Led each other to the Hospital of the 
Public Health Service and Went Home Cured . 110 

Certificate Given to Members of Reading Circles . 113 

A Demonstration in Applying Poisoned Bran in 
Grass-hopper Fight 127 

The County Agent Conducts Parties of Farmers on 
*^ Excursions" to Farms of Successful Men whose 
Good Work Makes the best "Demonstration" . . 127 

A Canning Club taking Lessons in Canning . . 135 

A * ' Mother-Daughter" Canning Team. ( See * * Mother- 
Daughter" Canning Clubs.) 135 

A Corn Club Boy who Made a Record of 228 Bushels 
of Corn to the Acre 141 

Two Hogs. Larger Hog Raised by Boy under the 
Direction of County Agent Weighed 380 lbs. at 9 
Months. Smaller One Raised by His Father . . 141 

Roosevelt Dam, Arizona. Principal Engineering Fea- 
ture of the Salt River Valley where 200,000 Acres 
Have Been Reclaimed Through the Reclamation 
Service 161 



List of Illustrations and Diagrams xiii 

PAGE 

A Group of Small Farms Reclaimed from Desert by 
the Reclamation Service 161 

Samples of European Hardware Sold in South Amer- 
ica Gathered by the Bureau of Foreign and Domes- 
tic Commerce 176 

Standardizing Precision Weights at the Laboratory 
of the Bureau of Standards. The Observer is Using 
a Telescope to Read the Position of the Balance 
Arms 196 

Picture of the Bureau of Education Showing Colored 
Youths Learning to Master Germs that Menace the 
Life of their Race 313 

Two Colored Children Receiving Instruction in the 
Household Arts 313 

A typical Negro House 315 

What a Coat of Paint under the Direction of the 

Demonstration Agent Will Do 315 

Fishing Commission Car for the Transporting of Fish 234 

Nevada Falls. Yosemite National Park. One of the 

Loftiest Waterfalls in the World 250 

Bureau of Mines Rescue Crew. Stretcher Drill . . 282 

Bureau of Mines Rescue Corps Entering Mine Fol- 
lowing Disaster 282 

Government Meat Inspector Applying Inspection 

Mark to Inspected and Passed Hog Carcasses . . 334 
Raw Oyster Inspection 334 



INTRODUCTION 

To-day, perhaps more than at any other time in 
our national existence, every American citizen is 
keenly alert as to the immediate relation of the Gov- 
ernment to the people. Years of study, of scientific 
application, of experiment on the part of the Govern- 
ment have resulted in numerous activities for the 
well-being of American citizens. The actual opera- 
tion and the practical extent of these activities is not 
generally known. To make them widely known is to 
further very materially that deep sense of loyalty 
which is the very basis of nationality. Miss Frances 
book is eminently suitable to be used to introduce 
the American Government, as it operates to-day, to 
every man, woman and child within its protection. 
The book is not a stereotyped manual of civics. In 
adopting the arrangement of her material Miss 
Franc has succeeded in producing a sense of rela- 
tionship of the Government to the citizenship, re- 
gardless of age, sex or color, which is usually lack- 
ing in books on civics, and it may be regarded as the 
first book of its kind on this vital subject. 

At this especial time I can see two, at least, very 
important reasons for the publication of a book of 
the nature of Miss Franc's. Unknown to the Ameri- 
can public at large there is developing under the 
United States Government a remarkable network of 
activities functioning as economic utilities. The vast 

XV 



xvi Introduction 

attempt, to mention only one instance, of the agri- 
cultural extension work projected by the Govern- 
ment is actually known to but few. To bring home 
to every American man, woman and child, a knowl- 
edge of what the Government is doing for the people 
in a directly practical way, would in itself be ample 
justification of such a volume as Miss Franc has 
written. 

Of our Allies, especially France will make efforts, 
once peace is restored, to profit by America's experi- 
ence in social and agrarian economics as fostered 
by the Government. There is of course a very large 
official literature from which Government activities 
can be studied. It has remained, however, for Miss 
Franc to present these activities in a concise, attrac- 
tive and intelligent form, so that foreigners and 
Americans alike may now learn what the United 
States Government is doing for the people. 

There undoubtedly is in the public mind at the 
present time the first stirring of a conviction that if 
there are faults in our educational system, one of 
them is the alienation of citizenship from the cur- 
riculum of our elementary and secondary schools. 
The material for the teaching of citizenship has left 
much to be wished for. 

Miss Franc's ^*Use Your Government'' is an ad- 
mirable contribution to the best of the literature at 
the disposal of the American teacher of civics. 

Adelaide E. Hasse, 
Chief of Economics Division, 
New YorJc Public Library. 



PARTI 
THE FARMER 



CHAPTER I.— PLANTING AND GROWING OF 

CROPS 

The Govemment is doing more for the farmer 
than any other part of the population and is occu- 
pied with a study of agriculture in all its phases 
from the seed to the consumer. 

The Department of Agriculture had its origin in 
the far-sighted wisdom of Washington, who as Pres- 
ident suggested the organization of a branch of the 
National Government to care for the interests of 
farmers. In order to bring the matter of a Board of 
Agriculture before the public, Washington in his last 
message to Congress on December the 7th, 1796, 
stated : 

'*In proportion as nations advance in popula- 
tion the cultivation of the soil becomes more and 
more an object of public patronage. Institu- 
tions grow up supported by the public purse. 
. . . Among the means which have been em- 
ployed to this end none have been attended 
with greater success than the establishment of 
boards composed of public characters charged 
with collecting and diffusing information, and 
enabled by premiums and small pecuniary aid to 
encourage and assist a spirit of discovery and 
improvement. This species of establishment 

3 



4 Use Your Government 

contributes doubly to tbe increase of improve- 
ments by stimulating to enterprize and experi- 
ment and by drawing to a common center the 
results everywhere of individual skill and ob- 
servation and spreading them thence over the 
whole nation." 

In 1839 took place the first appropriation by Con- 
gress of $1,000 for the purpose of collecting and dis- 
tributing seeds, prosecuting agricultural investiga- 
tions and procuring agricultural statistics. The 
money was taken from the Patent Office fund and the 
work was to be done under the Commissioner, at that 
time an official of the Department of State. 

To-day the appropriation of the Department of 
Agriculture is over $7,000,000 a year, and its staff 
numbers about 20,000, and it is estimated that at least 
one farm out of every twenty is working in some way 
with the Department, thus becoming a center of ad- 
vanced agricultural information for its community. 

Scientific help is brought to the farmer in the 
planting of his crops by the Bureau of Plant In- 
Bureau of dustry which ascertains what important 
Plant crop plants might be produced in par- 

Industry, ticular regions of the country, searches 
the world for grains, fruits, vegetables, grasses and 
legumes, that might be useful, secures new varieties 
of plants, crops and vegetables by breeding, and* 
controls destructive diseases and tests seeds. 

The knowledge obtained for the farmer is spread 



Planting and Growing of Crops 5 

in part through the demonstration agents of the 
States Relation Service (see page 125), and through 
the Farmers co-operating with the department (see 
page 4), and by the staff of the Bureau of Plant 
Industry itself. 

The introduction of new crop plants and fruits 
was established even before the Department of Agri- 
culture was a separate institution. 

This field of study has always been actively pur- 
sued by the Department, and it was the first system- 
atic attempt by any Government to supply its bona 
fide plant experimenters on an extensive scale with 
the material out of which new plant industries can 
be built. 

For instance, one of the earliest explorations 
undertaken in this field was for the purpose of aid- 
ing the rice growers in the southern states. During 
the year 1898, and again in 1901, an explorer was 
sent to Japan, China and India for the purpose of 
securing types of rice better adapted to the condi- 
tion of southern Louisiana, and Texas, and more 
suited to the needs of the market especially as re- 
gards milling qualities. 

Another explorer about that time was sent to Rus- 
sia for the purpose of securing help in the matter of 
grains adapted to the northwestern semi-arid re- 
gions. A large extent of territory in this section 
was yielding no valuable crop returns. As the re- 
sult of this first exploration work in 1898 followed 



6 Use Your Government 

by a second trip in 1900, large quantities of drought 
resistant Durham wheat, and other varieties of 
wheats, oats and special cereals were brought in. 

The whole alfalfa question in the United States 
has been put on a new basis by the introduction of 
the Turkestan, Siberian, Arabian and Peruvian al- 
falfas, and the development of the hardy hybrid 
strains which grow in the southwest throughout the 
winter. 

The seedless grapes of Italy and Greece were 
brought into the raisin industries of the Pacific 
coast. 

The date palm has long ago ceased to be a curi- 
osity in the desert regions of the southwest, and its 
cultivation has become an important industry. 

The Chinese persimmon varieties have proved 
quite as well adapted to conditions in America as 
the Japanese variety, and are showing certain ad- 
vantages over them. They have added a distinct 
new type of fruit to our fruit culture. 

These are but a few of the types from abroad in- 
troduced through the work of the Bureau of Plant 
Industry. 

The work now as formerly consists in locating in 
different parts of the world promising new crop 
plants, bringing them to this country and testing 
them in regions where they may be expected to be 
useful, as adjuncts to existing agriculture, or to sup- 
plant or supplement existing crops. 



Planting and Growing of Crops 7 

New seeds and plants from various parts of the 
world are brought in each year, and persons inter- 
ested in the subject have only to write to the Depart- 
ment for information. 

The work is done through extensive correspond- 
ence and special shipping arrangements with foreign 
institutions and individuals and diplomatic and con- 
sular officials abroad on the one hand, and Federal 
and State experiment station officials, private exper- 
imenters and park superintendents on the other. 
This international exchange is kept up, and the 
growing demand supplied for new and rare seeds 
and plants for the development of new industries in 
this country. 

All importations are opened and inspected by the 
Federal Horticultural Board (see page 12). 

The various introductions are given distinctive 
numbers and all information available referring to 
the introduction is recorded on a card bearing this 
number and filed. A bulletin of foreign plant in- 
troductions is sent out monthly to the department 
co-operators, giving a list of the special introduc- 
tions received. , 

The Bureau test seeds for firms or individuals 
and reports on the results of such tests for mechan- 
ical purity or vitality. Identification of weed seeds 
are also made, as well as studies concerning the 
quality of commercial seeds; the Bureau publishes 



8 Use Your Government 

informatioii as to the extent and sale of adulterated 
or misbranded foreign seed plants. 

Great progress has been made in the matter of 
securing good seed for the farmer. This work con- 
tinued from year to year has resulted in a much bet- 
ter understanding of the nature and value of pure 
seeds, and has added much to the building up of 
agriculture. 

The work of the laboratory of the Bureau of 
Plant Industry, and that of the state experiment 
stations, awakened an interest in better seeds on the 
part of the farmers. This is shown by the steady 
increase in the proportion of high grade seeds on 
the market each year. 

This division is responsible for the enforcement 
of the Seed Importation Act which prevents un- 
scrupulous seed dealers from bringing into the 
United States low grade seeds which do not find a 
sale in foreign countries but which have previously 
been imported into the United States in considera- 
ble quantities. 

It also co-operates with several states in the en- 
forcement of Pure Seed laws, working with seed 
men to induce them to label their seeds accurately 
so as to get a uniform standard of seeds. 

The question of *^ seeds'' from an educational 
angle is also taken up, with regard to the different 
lengths of time seeds should be kept, conditions of 
testing, etc. 



Planting and Growing of Crops 9 

The Bureau also handles the mechanical and rou- 
tine pages of the Congressional Seed Distribution, 
there being distributed each year, by each Congress- 
man, 20,000 or more packages of seed to farmers 
and others of his constituents. 

The diseases of cereals, fruits and vegetables are 
investigated whenever these seem of importance to 
the country at large. Diseases known to the Bureau 
are under constant examination in order that means 
may be suggested for checking them. New diseases 
are examined and methods for their control found. 
For fruits, as a rule, spraying methods meet the 
needs of the industry, and can be developed quickly. 
For general farm crops, cereals, etc., the control of 
diseases will depend on either developing systems of 
seed selection or rotation. 

Work on the diseases of vegetables includes field, 
and also storage conditions, and investigations, both 
scientific and practical, are undertaken with these. 

The farmer is encouraged to write to the Bureau, 
giving a description of the conditions of disease he 
is attempting to cure, and if feasible, he is asked to 
send in specimens of diseased plants or vegetables. 
Should his samples show signs of a disease already 
known to the Bureau he will be given the advice at 
hand, and his county agent (see page 125) would be 
instructed to communicate with him; if, however, it 
seems to be a question of a new disease, or a prob- 
lem not yet worked out the Bureau makes a thor- 



10 Use Your Government 

ough. investigation. Should it prove a problem 
likely to be of universal interest or concern an in- 
vestigation already in band, the farmer is told how 
far the Bureau has progressed and he is given the 
best general advice to be had on the subject. 

Experiments both highly technical and practical 
are undertaken with regard to the breeding of 
plants, cereals, fruits and vegetables, in order to 
improve their varieties both in productiveness and 
quality, and so that there may be developed types 
resistant to plant diseases. 

After new types have been developed and their 
success ascertained, they are brought into general 
use through the large number of volunteers co-oper- 
ating with the department, who assist the Bureau 
in testing out the various new types developed, 
through the demonstration agents (see page 125), 
and by giving out direct information to farmers 
known to be specially interested in the subject. 

Experiments have been made with regard to the 
acclimatization of crops and methods of culture. It 
was often found that even in the case of good va- 
rieties of crops moved from one place to another sud- 
denly, these would break up into many varieties and 
deteriorate. A special line of work was therefore 
established, which concerned the transporting of 
crops from one region to another." 

After experiments are concluded every effort is 



Planting and Growing of Crops 11 

made with the aid of these co-operators to get the 
work over to the public at large. 

Experiments are made with all crops concerning 
their general use through improvement in cultiva- 
tion and the utilization as well as the different rota- 
tions in crops. 

The Bureau has been devoting special attention to 
cotton experiments so as to improve the types at 
present prevalent in the country. 

The Bureau carries on highly technical experi- 
ments in plant nutrition in order to study the 
growth, development and composition of plants as 
affected by nutrition. 

Highly technical experiments are also carried on 
with regard to soil, fertilizers, etc. 
Bureau of The chief work regarding soil, how- 
Soils, ever, is carried on by the Bureau of 
Soils, whose work is of vast importance. 

The work of this Bureau may be divided into soil 
survey, fertilizer investigation, and laboratory in- 
vestigations. 

The soil survey consists in making a detailed 
study of agricultural conditions and possibilities of 
each state, county by county, mapping the types of 
soils, streams, roads, transportation facilities and 
photographic features, indicating adaption to crops 
and fertilizer acquirements and mechanical treat- 
ment. These maps are published for general dis- 
tribution, and are of great value to the farmer, pros- 



12 Use Your Government 

pective settler and business organizations, and con- 
stitute the fundamental basis for scientific and prac- 
tical investigations. 

The fertilizer investigations consist in the con- 
ducting of a survey of the fertilizer resources and 
in investigating methods and materials used in the 
manufacture of fertilizers with a view to cheapening 
processes and to stimulating production. New 
sources of supply are being pointed out, and the 
Bureau is endeavoring to save the present waste of 
fertilizer materials taking place in other industries, 
as for instance, in the manufacture of cement and 
coke and in blast furnaces. 

The manufacture of potash from the vast Pacific 
coast bids fair to replace that heretofore imported 
from Germany, and the extraction of nitrates from 
the air is a prominent feature of this work. 

The laboratories of the Bureau co-operate in all 
lines of investigation solving scientific and technical 
problems relating to soil and fertilizer investiga- 
tions. 

The province of the Federal Horticultural Board 
created under authority conferred by the Plant 
Federal Quarantine Act of August 20th, 1912, is 
Horticul- to guard against the introduction of new 
tural Board, injurious plant diseases and insect pests 
and to prevent the further spread of plant diseases 
and insect pests now occurring in this country. The 
work is done in co-operation with state inspectors, 



Planting and Growing of Crops 13 

customs officials, postmasters and American consuls 
as well as inspectors in foreign countries. 

The control of plant and plant products (the entry 
of which is regulated) is effected by means of per- 
mits and, in the case of nursery stock, by providing 
foreign inspection of such stock, by securing from 
importers and customs officials reports of arrival 
and proposed distribution, and by the transmitting 
of such reports to state inspectors who again inspect 
the stock at destination. The Board also keeps rec- 
ords of importations, and takes steps to maintain 
full compliance with the regulations on the part of 
the inspectors in foreign countries as to proper cer- 
tification and marking. In addition to nursery 
stock, the entry of Irish potatoes, alligator pears, 
cotton, corn, cotton-seed products and citrus fruits 
has also been regulated. All of these plant products 
are subject to inspection at port of entry by in- 
spectors of the Department of Agriculture. In the 
case of cotton all importations are disinfected on 
arrival with hydrocyanic-acid gas under the super- 
vision of inspectors of this department and the 
ports of entry are limited to northern cities. 

One of the most important projects of the Board 
at the present time is the work being done to prevent 
the entry of the pink boll-worm, one of the most 
injurious cotton pests known. This insect orig- 
inated in India, was carried to Egypt some eight or 
ten years ago, where it reduced the cotton crop at 



14 Use Your Government 

least twenty per cent., has almost destroyed the cot- 
ton crop of the Hawaiian Islands, and has recently 
become established in Brazil and Mexico. This in- 
sect is carried from one country to another in the 
seed and this pest was responsible for the quaran- 
tine against cotton-seed from all foreign countries 
and localities which became effective July 1, 1913. 
To prevent the possible introduction of the pink boll- 
worm from Mexico into the cotton-growing districts 
of the United States, Congress at its last session 
voted a sum of $250,000. It is proposed to establish 
in co-operation with the State of Texas a cotton-free 
zone in Texas along the Mexican Border approxi- 
mately 50 miles in width. All railway cars and other 
vehicles and freight of all kinds for Mexico offered 
for entry at the border ports are inspected, and if 
found necessary cleaned and disinfected before 
entry is permitted. 



CHAPTER II.— WEATHER REPORTS 

The Weather Bureau makes daily forecasts and 
weather maps for the benefit of the public. These 
Weather forecasts are based upon simultaneous 
Bureau. observation of local weather conditions 
taken daily at 8:00 a. m. and 8:00 p. m., 75th me- 
ridian time, at about 200 regular observing stations 
scattered throughout the United States and 
the West Indies, and upon similar reports received 
daily from various points in other parts of the 
Northern Hemisphere. Each of the Weather Bu- 
reau Stations is operated by one or more trained 
observers, and is equipped with all the scientific de- 
vices which make a continuous automatic record of 
the local weather conditions and changes. 

The results of the twice daily observations are im- 
mediately telegraphed to the central office at Wash- 
ington and to other forecast centers where they are 
charted for study and interpretation by experts 
trained to forecast the weather conditions that may 
be expected to prevail during the following 36 to 48 
hours. 

A complete telegraphic report includes the follow- 
ing data : 

15 



16 Use Your Government 

Temperature, pressure reduced to sea level, pre- 
cipitation, direction of winds, state of weather, cur- 
rent wind philosophy, clouds, and maximum or min- 
imum temperature since last observation. 

From these data the forecaster by comparison 
with preceding reports is able to trace the paths of 
storm areas from the time of their appearance to the 
moment of observation and approximately deter- 
mine and forecast their subsequent forces, and at- 
tendant weather conditions. 

Weather services similar to that of the United 
States are maintained by the Canadian and Mexican 
Governments, and by a system of interchange daily 
reports are received from a number of stations in 
these countries. Daily observations are also re- 
ceived from the Azores, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, 
Great Britain, Germany, France, Portugal, Eu- 
ropean and Asiatic Russia, China, Japan, the Philip- 
pines, Hawaii, and Alaska. The field represented by 
the daily reports, therefore, extends practically over 
the entire Northern Hemisphere. 

Within two hours after the morning observations 
have been taken the forecasts are telegraphed from 
the forecasts centers to about 1,600 principal dis- 
tributing points. They are further sent out by tele- 
graph, telephone, wireless telegraphy, and mail. 
The forecasts reach nearly 90,000 addresses daily 
by the mail, the greater part being delivered early 
in the day and none later than 6 :00 p. m., of the day 



ir j^' 




Heaters in operation after a warning from the Weather Bureau. 




Crop reporters waiting to telegraph. (See page 28.) 



Weather Reports 17, 

of issue, and are available to more than 5,500,000 
telephone subscribers within an hour of the time of 
issue. 

The rural free mail delivery system and rural 
telephone lines are also being utilized to bring with- 
in the benefits of this system a large number of 
farming communities. 

The weather map is mailed immediately after the 
morning forecast is telegraphed. On this map 
the chief features of current weather conditions 
throughout the country are graphically repre- 
sented. 

This work of the Bureau is divided into 44 local 
sections, each section as a rule covering a single 
State and having for its center a regular observing 
station. 

These centers each month collect temperature and 
precipitation observations for more than 4,500 co- 
operative and other stations, and publish a month- 
ly and annual summary, giving a large amount 
of climatological data for each month and the 
year. 

During the crop growing season, April to Sep- 
tember, each section center also receives weekly re- 
ports of weather and crop conditions from numer- 
ous correspondents. 

During the crop growing season the central office 
in Washington also issues a National Weather and 
Crop Bulletin containing a general summary of 



18 Use Your Government 

weather and crop conditions for the entire country 
as well as individual summaries for the various 
States. It also contains a series of charts and dia- 
grams, showing graphically the actual and normal 
condition of precipitation and temperature for the 
current week, and for the preceding weeks of the 
season in the principal crop growing areas. The 
diagrams also contain data showing the condition of 
the principal crops in those areas for months and 
months as furnished by the Bureau of Crops Esti- 
mates. 

There is issued at the Central Office every Tues- 
day during the winter season a publication entitled 
*^Snow and Ice Bulletin, '* which shows the area 
covered by snow, the depth of snow, and the thick- 
ness of ice in rivers, etc., as indicated by a large 
number of reports of observations made on the 
afternoon of the day preceding the issue of the bul- 
letins. This publication is of special value to those 
interested in the winter wheat crop, the ice dealers, 
and to the manufacturers of rubber goods and other 
articles the sale of which is largely affected by the 
presence or absence of snow and ice. 

During the growing season in the cotton, corn, 
wheat, sugar, rice, corn and cattle producing sec- 
tions, designated centers receive telegraphic re- 
ports of precipitation and daily extremes of tem- 
perature from the sub-stations in the various 
sections for publication in bulletin form, each lo- 



Weather Reports 19 

cal center receiving condensed reports from all 
others. 

Several hundred stations are maintained in the 
elevated regions of Washington, Oregon, California, 
Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, South 
Dakota, New Mexico and Arizona for the purpose of 
obtaining precise measurements of the depth of 
water and content of snow which falls in the elevated 
portions of those States. Such measurements are 
useful in determining approximately the amount of 
water available for irrigation purposes on the adja- 
cent lowlands. 

In Utah special observation work has been con- 
centrated in one or more small watersheds, where a 
great number of measurements are made, and even- 
tually the water available for irrigation is deter- 
mined with considerable accuracy. 

The warnings of those sudden and destructive 
temperature changes known as cold waves are of 
great importance. These warnings, which are is- 
sued from 24 to 36 hours in advance, are dissem- 
inated throughout the threatened regions by means 
of flags displayed at the regular weather bureau 
stations by telegraph, telephone, and mail service to 
all parts receiving the daily forecast and to a large 
number of special addresses in addition. The warn- 
ings issued for a single cold wave of exceptional 
severity and extent resulted in saving over 
$3,500,000, through the protection of property from 



20 



Use Your Government 



injury or destruction. (For Flood Warning see 
page 205.) 
The Bureau in a pamphlet on the subject states 



U S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WEAT)il^ BUREAU. 

Telegraphic Eteports Rectivea ai Washington^ D.C, ,.... Wl 

Observer. 

The river at Uemphle vlll paM Hod stage %7 Friday Ho 
Xoreoaat of flood hel^t {a ibis district poasltle at preseot. 
stages exoeedlag forty feet at Uaapbls find eseeedlag fifty fee^ 
■at geless are oertalo. Patllp warned to prepqijre .for severe flood, 

Enexy. 



•••••■•■•^••■■•^••a 



■eniibis Jfion., Varcb 27^idi9. 



Observer, 



fl4^iB|gtoo. S.O. 

Hs^eot flood stage Memphis Saturday aod 40.0 feet in nsA. 

five or si?E days. A stags Spproxlaatlag 4fi«0 feet sow ssoM 

possible. 

Emery. 

llse^is« teOB' . April £^ 191$; 
Vasblngton. D.C. 
Helena 43.6: Pew Uadrld. 41.6; now ezpeet Hemptals to ezoesA 
4S.Q and 46.0 is poaalble pfovlded levees bold. Have advised is* 
tere.sts to prepare for 46.0 Vempbls and 56.0 Helena. 

Emery. 
f A stage gf .46.5 feet waa reacbed at Memphfa on Anril Ifr) 



Observer. 



SPECIMEN OF FLOOD WAKNING ISSUED BY THE WEATHER 
BUREAU, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

that its data is used in the Agricultural districts as 
follows : 

The daily maps and bulletins and the general 
bulletin report containing statistical data are used 
by the retailer and small farmer. 



Weather Reports 21 

In the agricultural districts the frost and cold 
wave warnings are of great value to the trucker and 
fruit grower, especially in the spring when the ten- 
der vegetables are protected by covering with paper, 
cloth, or soil, and fruit is safeguarded by smudging, 
irrigation, or other methods designed to maintain 
the temperature above the danger point. In the fall 
these warnings are utilized in the cranberry regions 
by flooding the bogs until after the cold weather has 
passed or the danger of frost is over. 

It may be said that the warnings of the Weather 
Bureau regulate the safety of aU crops for the 
farmer. 

In the raisin-growing districts of California rain 
forecasts are of great value. The raisin crop while 
drying is extremely susceptible to injury from rain, 
and the warnings enable the producers to protect 
the fruit by stacking and covering the trays. The 
accuracy of the rain forecasts for this region and 
the system for their distribution have been so com- 
plete that practically no loss from this cause has oc- 
curred for years. Eain forecasts are also utilized in 
the large fruit-growing districts to enable picking in 
advance of rains, so that the fruit can be shipped 
dry. 

The warnings of frost and freezing weather are 
of immense value, particularly to the fruit, sugar, 
tobacco, cranberry, and market gardening interests. 
The early truck raising industry, so extensively car- 



22 Use Your Government 

ried on in the regions bordering on the Gulf and 
south Atlantic coasts and in Florida, and which has 
increased so greatly in recent years, is largely de- 
pendent for its success on the cooperation of the 
Weather Bureau in this particular, and the growers 
of oranges and other fruits in Florida and Cali- 
fornia have received great benefit. The value of the 
orange bloom, vegetables, and strawberries pro- 
tected and saved on a single night in a limited dis- 
trict in Florida, through the instrumentality of 
warnings of freezing weather sent out by the bu- 
reau, was reported at over $100,000. 

In the citrus fruit districts of California it is re- 
ported that fruit to the value of $14,000,000 was 
saved by taking advantage of warnings issued by 
the bureau during one cold wave. 

The deciduous fruit districts of Washington, Ore- 
gon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and throughout the 
East, rely upon the warnings of the bureau to guide 
them in smudging and heating their orchards on the 
occurrence of frost or freezing weather during the 
blossoming period. 

The warnings of the Bureau are also of great 
importance on the Western ranches and plains 
where the stock is hurried from the ranges to shelter 
upon notice of blizzards or heavy snows. 

Special uses of storm warnings are found in the 
measure adopted to protect property and crops sub- 
ject to inundation from high tides or back wa- 



Weather Reports 23 

ters blown up by the wind. For instance, the rice 
planters before a predicted storm flood their crops 
to prevent the straw from being broken by the 
wind. 



CHAPTEE III.— CEOP ESTIMATES AND CEN- 
SUS OF AGEICULTUEE 

Bureau of The Bureau of Crop Estimates sends 
Crop out monthly reports as the crops pro- 

Estimates, ^ress. 

Beginning with the planting data is gathered and 
reports made as to the condition and acreage of each 
of the principal agricultural products, such as com, 
wheat, oats, rye, barley, potatoes, hay, cotton, to- 
bacco and rice, etc. Such reports are expressed in 
percentages, 100 representing normal conditions. 
With these statements are given the averages of 
similar reports at corresponding dates in previous 
years (usually ten year averages). By such com- 
parison the condition of crops in comparison with 
the average conditions is readily obtained. At har- 
vest time the yields per acre are ascertained, which 
being multiplied by the acreage figures already as- 
certained give the production. 

The reports issued by the Bureau of Crop Esti- 
mates during the year include the data relating to 
acreages, conditions, yields, supplies, qualities, and 
value of farm crops, numbers by classes, condition, 
and values of farm animals, etc. 



Crop Estimates and Census of Agriculture 25 



Monthly Crop Report 

rOBLISHED Vt AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 



Wash»oton, D. C. 



OCTOBER, 1917 



Vou 3, No. 10 



I |«t»iil1iili »t Ik* Boreas 



tw ■oHtau caop mtobt « i. , 

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•■% WaiMagto^ D. C. 



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«r •aUcda^ aad at&ct aabUcatfaas af lb DeparnMeat 9t Affkallurc araiu- 
Ma fm 4UtribaUoa ahaafi be laada dlred to Iba Chief af the BmrcMi af Crop 



Mdraaa tha DirMoa af f 



flNirED STATES CROP SVMMART FOB OCTOBEB. 



Change aiiice 



1911-1915, 



Constty prices Oct. !•— . 



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Hay. wUd do... 

Hay, total... ..>. .do.~. 

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Kalrs blUbels 

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ODlons, (all eonuncrclal 

crop..-. _ biubels 

Cabbaceii,eommertial.t«iu, 



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'Price Sept. 15. 



HME OF ISSUAKGE and scope <» THE NOVEMBES 
CROPBCPOBT. 

Os TbucacUy 77oveczd>er 8. at 2 15 p 4a (eaft^n tlmeV the 
Bureftu oi Crop Eatunatoi. Cniled States PepactraeDt of A^cul- 
ture, win iaro« » crop Pumnuiry which wiU p ve the following mior- 
m^Uon The productioa UKJ quality of com. bvckwheat potatoes 
inre«t poiuoe*, tobftoco, flaxsera. *pple«, aod pean: tbo percentaro 
of the m6 ctn crop on faznu November 1 1 91 7 thv ftvosge wci£Bt 
per DHMurod bOAbel d tht wbeal. oftt«. «Dd Mrlay cropi of Uiis 

A ecoer&l review of crop condilioiu on Ncvembor 1 will be gireo. 
which wiJ] include the faUowiij^ rtoiu The production, comp&rea 
wiUi hii) crop of clov«- aeed greiB •orgbuni, fieW peas, (jrnpes, 
crxuberruf, p«astit£. atmoDdf, sod walDut^ tfveragc yield of sirup 
per Acre of tocghua, ixxulitioD on November I. or at lime ol bar- 
Teat d aQgw cane, fosv baet>, orapcefl, lemoru, tinioe. grapcfniit. 
■nd oUvee. Ko report oo cotton viU b« jfeued in November 



«AUbAy. 



The composite condition of all aopp of^the United ^aier aa 
October 1 or at lime of harvest ww 2 4 per ccat higher than thur 
10-year average conditioii on that date a2 oamp«U'ed vith a condi- 
tion 2 5 per cent above average oo September f rinal yieldj jpei 
■ere of cropfl last vear were about 4 9 per cent below Avenge The 
isdei number of aggregai« crmp yielda this year is ^wut 7 7 mi 
cent CTcatcr than la«t year Tma year the total arretge is ctuti- 
vatedcrape u about 3 pa- cent more than last vear. 

The total production of important producla tKu yev compared 
vith last year ia eKimated a« follows- Corn 124 3 per ccQt, wheat, 
103.1 per cent, oata, 126 3 per cent, barley 111 5 per cent, ryo, 
118.1 per cent, buckwheat. 151. 1 par cent, white potatoes, 15^7 
per cent, rweet poUloes, 123 ^oi cflut. tobacco, 108 per cent, flaX' 
seed, 73 3 per cent, rice, 81.7 per c«nt; hay <aU>, 83 ft per cent; 
clover hay 78 7 per cent; cotton. 105.2 per cent- apples. 87 3 per 



SPECIMEN OF MONTHLY CROP EEPORT ISSUED BY THE DE- 
PARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



Weekly Eeports are issued concerning truck crops 
in relation to acreage and conditiona 

The Monthly Reports estimated by states and for 
the United States are as follows : 



26 Use Tour Government 

Acreage, Corn, winter wheat, spring wheat, oats, 
barley, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, to- 
bacco, flax, rice, tame and wild hay, cotton, clover, 
hay, sugar beets, beans, cranberries, and sorghum 
for syrup . 

Condition, Expressed in percentages of normal, 
with comparisons : corn, winter wheat, spring wheat, 
oats, barley, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, sweet pota- 
toes, tobacco, flax, rice, cotton, hay, clover seeds, mil- 
let, bluegrass for seed, field peas, apples, peaches, 
pears, grapes, etc., beans, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. 
Horses and mules, cattle, sheep, swine, and honey 
bees. 

Forecasts of Production, Based upon condition 
estimates of corn, winter wheat, spring wheat, oats, 
barley, rye, etc., cotton, apples, peaches, pears, etc. 

Yield Per Acre, Of corn, winter wheat, spring 
wheat, oats, barley, rye, potatoes, tobacco, fruits, 
and vegetables. 

Forecasts of Production {Quantitative), As 
above. 

Production (expressed in percentages of a full 
crop). As above. 

Prices, Monthly or in season of com, Wheat, 
oats, etc., fruits, vegetables, honey, butter, eggs, cot- 
tonseed, bran, milk, maple sugar, wool, walnuts, pea- 
nuts, hogs, beef cattle, sheep, lambs, horses, etc. 

Quality. Corn, winter wheat, oats, barley, etc., 
fruits, vegetables, etc. 



Crop Estimates and Census of Agriculture 27 

Stocks on Farms on certain dates. Com, wheat, 
barley, oats, and apples. 

Quantity Shipped Out of County Where Grown, 
Corn, wheat, oats, barley, and apples. 

Numbers. Total of horses, mules, milch cows, 
other cattle, sheep and swine, with percentage of 
preceding years. Also stock hogs, breeding sows, 
and honey bees. 

Losses During the Year From Disease or Ex- 
posure, Horses and mules, cattle, sheep, lambs and 
swine. 

Weight Per Unit of Measure, Wheat, oats, bar- 
ley, and wool. In addition to the data regularly col- 
lected relating to crops or livestock as stated above, 
special investigations are occasionally made by re- 
quest of other bureaus. 

Yearly investigations are made on the following 
subjects : wages of farm labor, values of farm land, 
plowing and planting done by May 1 ; dates of plant- 
ing and harvesting, maximum yields, causes of crop 
damage, monthly farm movements of grain and cot- 
ton ; prices of articles purchased by farmers. 

The most important part of the Yearbook of the 
Department of Agriculture (of which more than half 
a million are issued each year) is the statistical 
work. The statistics are collected in the Bureau of 
Crop Estimates and they include data relating to 
acreage and production of many agricultural prod- 
ucts in all the important countries of the world. 



28 Use Your Government 

i 

Also the exports and imports of agricultural prod- 
ucts of all the important countries. 

Method of Issuing Reports, Eeports in relation 
to cotton are issued on or about the first day of 
each month during the growing season. 

Eeports relating to the principal farm crops and 
livestock are issued about the 7th or 8th day of each 
month. 

In order that the information contained in these 
reports may be made available simultaneously 
throughout the United States they are handed in at 
an announced hour, on report days to all applicants 
and to the Western Union Telegraph Company and 
Postal Telegraph Company, which have branch of- 
fices in the Department of Agriculture for transmis- 
sion to the exchanges and to the press. These com- 
panies have reserved their lines at the designated 
times, and forward immediately the figures of most 
interest. 

A multigraph statement containing such estimates 
of conditions or actual production, together with the 
corresponding estimates of former years, for com- 
parative purposes is prepared and mailed imme- 
diately to newspaper publications. 

The crop estimates for the States and for the 
United States as a whole are telegraphed imme- 
diately to State weather bureau directors, in whose 
offices copies are printed and mailed to all the local 
papers in the State, so that the crop estimates of the 



X^rop Estimates and Census of Agriculture 29 

Bureau are published throughout the United States 
within twenty-four hours of their issuance. 

Promptly after the issuing of the report, it, to- 
gether with other statistical information of value 
to the farmer and the country at large, is published 
in the ^'Monthly Crop Report, '* a publication of the 
Bureau of Crop Estimates under the authority of 
the Secretary of Agriculture. An edition of over 
225,000 copies is distributed to the correspondents 
and other interested parties throughout the United 
States each month. 

The practical value of the Government crop esti- 
mates results from the fact that they are based up- 
on reports of farmers and others in every county 
and township of the United States, and upon reports 
of trained Field Agents in each State; they are 
made monthly during the crop season; they are 
checked up from every possible source of informa- 
tion; the final reports are prepared and issued by 
a crop reporting board of experts. All Government 
employees engaged in the preparation of the crop 
estimates are prohibited from giving out informa- 
tion concerning them, or in utilizing information so 
obtained for their own benefit directly or indirectly 
prior to the date and hour of publication. The re- 
ports when issued are known to be as accurate as it 
is practicable to make them, as well as impartial, 
disinterested, and therefore dependable. 

Without such a system of crop estimates specu- 



30 Use Your Government 

lators interested in raising and lowering prices of 
farm products would issue so many conflicting and 
deceiving reports that it would be almost impos- 
sible for any one without great expense, to form an 
accurate estimate of crop conditions and crop pros- 
pects. 

Farmers are benefited by the Government crop 
reports both directly and indirectly. Directly, by 
being kept informed of crop prospects and prices 
outside of their own immediate district, and indi- 
rectly because disinterested reports of the Govern- 
ment tend to prevent the circulation of false or mis- 
leading reports by speculators who are interested 
in controlling or manipulating prices. 

In a sense the Bureau of Crop Estimates is a form 
of farmers' cooperation wherein each farm crop re- 
porter gives information about his locality and in 
return receives information about the entire coun- 
try, the Bureau merely acting as a clearing house 
for such cooperative exchange. 

The more certainty there is as to the probable 
supply and demand, the less chance for speculation 
and loss in the business of distributing and market- 
ing the crops, which is a benefit both to the producer 
and the consumer. 

Bureau of The Decennial Census, taken in a year 
Census. divisible by ten (see page 20B), covers, 

in addition to population, manufactures and mines 
and quarries, the subject of agriculture. The ^e- 



Crop Estimates and Census of Agriculture 31 

ports, like those for population and manufactures, 
are issued not only in large bound volumes but also 
in the form of numerous paper bound bulletins. One 
series of these bulletins represents the agricultural 
statistics for each individual state, a separate bulle- 
tin being issued for each state. Another series gives 
statistics covering the various stages of agriculture 
— for example, the value of farms and farm proper- 
ties ; numbers and value of live stock ; acreage, pro- 
duction, and value of crops; etc. The bound vol- 
umes may be consulted at the leading libraries, and 
the bulletins are sent gratis by the Census Bureau 
to all who desire them. The report of the Census of 
Agriculture presents detailed statistics as to acre- 
age, improved acreage, and value of farms ; value of 
farm property ; tenure (whether operated by owner, 
by hired manager, or by tenant) ; farm mortgages ; 
race ; nativity and tenure of farmers ; size of farms ; 
number and value of live stock on farms and else- 
where ; live stock products ; crops ; irrigation, etc. 

By an examination of the Census reports on agri- 
culture, the farmer can compare the productiveness 
of his farm or the average productiveness of farms 
in his community with the productiveness of farms 
in other localities in which similar crops are grown ; 
he can ascertain what are the principal products of 
any state or county in which he may be interested ; 
he can make a comparison of farm values in differ- 
ent localities ; and he can obtain information along 



32 Use Your Government 

many other lines in whieli the progressive agricul- 
turist is apt to be interested. 

Not only are the Census statistics of direct value 
to the farmer in this manner, but they are of indi- 
rect value in that they provide the basis for much 
of the work done by the Department of Agriculture, 
including the compilation of its annual estimates 
pertaining to crop acreage and production of live 
stock. 

The cotton and tobacco statistics, already de- 
scribed are also of great value to those farmers who 
produce cotton and tobacco respectively. 



CHAPTER IV.— CONTROLLING OF DESTRUC- 
TIVE INSECTS AND BIRDS 

The best methods of controlling insects destruc- 
tive to agriculture is the most important part of the 
Bureau of work of the Bureau of Entomology. 
Entomol- The subject of the damage to the health 
OST- of livestock and to the health of man 

himself by the carriage of disease through insects 
is also included in its work. 

The Bureau has a number of specialists constantly 
working in cooperation with the National Museum 
on specimens of insects both injurious and bene- 
ficial. Should any insects not already well known be 
discovered, their habits are studied for only thus is 
it possible to obtain clues for their destruction, and 
their natural enemies are sought out and set to de- 
vour them. A great many injurious insects are ac- 
cidentally imported from other countries and for 
this experts are sent to the country of their origin 
to make the necessary investigations that would lead 
to their eventual eradication. 

Extensive experiments in orchards are made to 
determine species of troublesome insects and the 
amount of injury resulting from their work. Labor- 
atory observations are checked by extensive obser- 

33 



34 Use Your Government 

vation in the field and remedial measures are under- 
taken based on knowledge of the behavior of the in- 
sects. Experiments are carried out in the field to 
determine the comparative value of respective spray 
treatments and the most effective quantity of poison 
to be employed. This work is divided into the dif- 
ferent kinds of insects known to be destructive to 
agricultural crops and to fruits and vegetables. 
Eepresentatives of the Bureau are sent to all parts 
of the country to investigate the tests of insects 
under conditions where demonstrations can be car- 
ried out on a large scale. 

Besides the orchard investigations, experiments 
are carried on with serial and forage crops, every 
variety of cotton, tobacco, sugar cane, forest prod- 
ucts, etc. 

Interesting experiments are being made with re- 
gard to stored products and the insects which are 
the ruination of food supplies, and procedures of 
packing are recommended which will as far as pos- 
sible make the products insect proof, methods of 
fumigation having also been studied. 

The Bureau is constantly trying out various in- 
secticides for the insects which affect the heath of 
man in so far as they transmit disease. This work 
is carried out in cooperation with the work of the 
Public Health Service in the rural districts. (See 
page 107.) • • 

Demonstration work in connection with all phases 





Spraying cart used by Bureau of Entomology in operations against the 
Gipsy and Brown Tail Moth. 



1^ Controlling of Destructive Insects and Birds 35 

of the work of the Bureau is carried on in coopera- 
tion with the States Relations Service. (See page 
125.) 

Bulletins and pamphlets are issued by the Bureau 
of Entomology for the benefit of the farmer con- 
cerning his work. 

The Insecticide and Fungicide Board of the 
United States Department of Agriculture is charged 
Insecticide ^i^h the enforcement of the Insecticide 
and Fungi- Act of 1910. The Board consists of four 
cide Board, members representing the Bureaus of 
Chemistry, Plant Industry, Animal Industry and 
Entomology. Working under these members are 
groups of chemists, bacteriologists, entomologists, 
plant pathologists and microscopists, who analyze 
preparations, test their efficiency and pass upon the 
claims made for them on their labels. 

The Board also can call upon the specialists of the 
several Bureaus for cooperation in special re- 
searches or field or other tests. It employs a clerical 
force and a number of inspectors whose chief busi- 
ness is to collect samples of suspected preparations 
as a basis for legal proceedings, should action be 
warranted. 

The Insecticide Act is designed to prevent the 
manufacture or sale in the District of Columbia or 
the territories, the interstate shipment and the im- 
portation of adulterated or misbranded insecticides 
and fungicides. The range of substances covered 



86 Use Your Government 

by the Act is very comprehensive. ** Insecticides'' 
besides Paris green and lead arsenates are defined 
to include all substances or mixtures of substances 
intended to be used for preventing, destroying, re- 
pelling, or mitigating any insects which may infect 
vegetation, man, animals, or households, or be pres- 
ent in any environment whatsoever; ^^Fungicides'' 
are defined as including all substances or mixtures 
of substances intended to be used for preventing, 
destroying, repelling, or mitigating any and all 
fungi that may infest vegetation or be present in 
any environment whatsoever. 

The provisions of the law, therefore, are designed 
to protect farmers and others from fraudulent in- 
secticides and fungicides and other products as well 
as fraudulent disinfectants. The result of its en- 
forcement has been that farming communities in 
particular are receiving a much higher grade of in- 
secticides and fungicides of more standard composi- 
tion. The confidence established by this work 
greatly encourages the manufacturer in the devel- 
opment of legitimate material and tends to encour- 
age the use by farmers of preparation to combat 
diseases and insect pests of their crop plants and 
livestock. 

Destructive birds and mammals are a great men- 
ace to agriculture. 

Important work in connection with these is car- 
ried on by the Biological Survey. 



Controlling of Destructive Insects and Birds 37 

The work of this Bureau can be divided as fol- 
lows: Biological Investigations, Economic Investi- 
Biological gations, Game Preservation (Reserva- 
Survey. tions and enforcement of the Lacey 
Act) and Enforcement of the Migratory Bird Law. 

The Biological Investigations of the Bureau are 
of a purely scientific character and form the foun- 
dation of the other work of the Bureau. 

They are made in the form of a survey of all 
States and Territories to ascertain the distribution, 
abundance and habits of the birds and mammals and 
to determine their natural life zones. The infor- 
mation thus obtained is placed at the disposal of in- 
dividuals as well as public and official bodies inter- 
ested. 

The data secured by these surveys has proved ex- 
tremely useful in formulating the provisions of the 
Migratory Bird Treaty in force between the United 
States and Canada, and in the preparation of many 
of the game laws of the various States. 

Economic Investigations are made regarding the 
relation of wild mammals and birds to agriculture 
and methods of controlling the harmful ones. 

(a) Experiments in trapping, fumigating, poi- 
soning and other methods of destruction are made. 
These are reported and demonstrated for the bene- 
fit of farmers. 

(b) Destruction of predatory animals and sup- 
pression of rabies among them. Predatory wild 



38 Use Your Government 

animals destroy large numbers of livestock, and 
this has been increased by an epidemic of rabies 
wbich is prevalent among them in certain Western 
States. This disease is especially dangerous, as it 
can be communicated to human beings and to stock 
and other domestic animals. The only method for 
the suppression of the disease is the destruction of 
the afflicted animals. Hunters are employed in this 
work and over 30,000 animals were killed last year 
by trapping, and a still larger number by poisoning 
campaigns. 

(c) Assistance is also given in the destruction 
of smaller animals, such as prairie-dogs, rabbits, 
ground squirrels, mice, rats, etc., injurious to crops 
and farm produce. In the case of National Forests 
and Public Domain, the work is carried out by field 
parties of the Bureau. In the case of private lands 
the Bureau cooperates with individuals and organ- 
izations of farmers and demonstrates the methods 
the Bureau has found most efficient in its work and 
aids them in organizing campaigns. In 1917, 16,000 
farmers in North Dakota cooperated with the Bu- 
reau and over four and one-half million acres were 
practically cleared of ground squirrels, saving a 
million dollars' worth of crops. Similar campaigns 
are in progress in many other States. 

(d) Investigations are being made by the Bu- 
reau to determine what birds are beneficial to agri- 
culture, horticulture and forestry, and which are 



Controlling of Destructive Insects and Birds 39 

destructive. The chief method of procedure here 
is to examine the stomach contents of the birds of 
different sections and species. Laboratory analy- 
sis shows their contents and thus their powers of 
destruction to crops, other birds, fruits, insects, 
etc., can be determined definitely. 

The Game Preservation under the control of the 
Bureau may be said to be divided into two parts: 
(a) the enforcement of the Lacey Act (Sections 241 
\ to 244, inclusive, of the Penal Code of the United 
States) and (b) the establishment and maintenance 
of Mammal and Bird Eeservations. 

The Lacey Act prohibits the interstate shipment 
of any foreign animals the importation of which is 
prohibited, and also forbids interstate traffic in the 
dead bodies or parts thereof of any wild animals or 
birds when such animals or birds have been killed 
or shipped in violation of the laws of the State, Ter- 
ritory or District in which same were killed, or from 
which the same were shipped. Any evidence against 
violations of this Act is obtained from individuals, 
dealers and transportation companies. 

Under this Act there is also forbidden the im- 
portation of foreign birds and mammals or an in- 
jurious species. Permits from the Bureau are re- 
quired for most birds and mammals before they may 
enter the country. For this purpose officers of the 
Bureau are placed at all points of entry. 

The Government maintains 74 National reserva- 



40 Use Your Government 

tions for big game birds. The object of these is to 
perpetuate the bird life of the Nation as well as 
game mammals for the benefit of the people from 
a recreational as well as from an economic point of 
view. A winter refnge for elk, with sufficient hay 
for food, is established by the Government to insure 
perpetuation of the elk. 

The Migratory Bird Law is also enforced by this 
Bureau. In connection therewith information is 
handed out to the public showing the object and 
necessity of the law for the protection of migratory 
birds, and a campaign of education has begun to in- 
terest people at large and demonstrate to sports- 
men and gunners the necessity for the proper ob- 
servance of the regulations under the Migratory 
Bird Law. 




Vaccinating cattle against Black Leg with vaccine furnished free of 
charge by the Government. 




Dipping cattle in arsenical solution to kill ticks. 



CHAPTER v.— FOSTERING AND IMPROVING 
OF LIVESTOCK. DAIRYING 

The Bureau of Animal Industry fosters and im- 
proves the live stock industry. Its work includes 
Bureau of investigations and educational work in 
Animal connection with the breeding, feeding 

Industry. ^^^^ management of horses, beef cattle, 
sheep, goats, swine and poultry. The experiments 
deal mainly with the broad problems of suitability 
of types of animals for general areas and conditions 
affecting breeding and growth in farm animals. 

The Bureau also carries on important work re- 
garding animal diseases. This may be divided into 
scientific investigations, educational work and ad- 
ministrative work in connection with the educational 
work. The administrative work is performed in 
connection with the state authorities for the en- 
forcement of Federal and State laws existing for 
the quarantine of diseased animals. Whole areas 
have been freed from prevalent animal diseases 
through the enforcement of these laws combined 
with the educational work of the Bureau. 

Animal diseases are studied by a corps of scien- 
tists mostly veterinarians with special training in 
bacteriology. Information and advice are given to 

41 



42 Use Your Government 

tlie public as to tlie nature of such diseases and how 
to prevent and treat them in great detail by demon- 
strations on the part of county agents and exten- 
sion specialist (see page 125). Publications and 
correspondence also help to further this work. 

Hog cholera, tuberculosis and contagious abortion 
are subjects which have been especially studied with 
a view to furnishing stock owners information that 
will enable them to check and eliminate these dis- 
eases. Scabies of sheep and cattle, the exterminat- 
ing of ticks and other such diseases have been 
problems which have greatly occupied the Bureau 
in the regions where they are specially prevalent. 

The Bureau maintains a system of inspection and 
quarantine of imported animals with the object of 
preventing the introduction of contagious animal 
diseases from other countries. 

It also inspects animals for export from the 
United States so as to insure the healthfulness of 
such animals and thereby fosters and protects the 
foreign commerce of the country. 

Animals in interstate commerce are also examined 
in order to prevent the spread of disease through- 
out the country. 

The Bureau of Animal Industry has a division 
entirely devoted to dairying which is promoting and 
assisting to organize the dairy industry in those 
parts of the country where it is as yet undeveloped. 
The work may be divided into three classes, namely, 




Dairy meeting — how the model of a cow stall was used in discussing 

model barns. 




Poultry and Egg Packing Demonstrating Car of the Bureau of 
Chemistry. (See page 71.) 



Fostering and Improving Livestock 43 

Laboratory, Eesearcla, Field Eesearch and Dairy 
Extension. 

The Laboratory Eesearcb work includes investi- 
gations in all that concerns milk (skim milk, butter- 
milk and condensed milk), various kinds of cheeses 
(including foreign types), also the manufacture and 
handling of commercial ice cream. 

The Field Research consists of investigations in 
cow testing associations and bull associations; 
creamery management (i. e., study of cost of oper- 
ation, cost of fuel, pasteurization of cream for but- 
ter making, etc.) ; dairy sanitation (a study of the 
city milk supplies) ; cost of milk production on the 
average dairy farm ; and the cost of handling milk 
in cities including the cost of various operations in 
preparing milk for the market. Experiments are 
also conducted in the feeding, breeding, housing and 
care of dairy cattle and handling of market milk. 

Extension Work is conducted in cooperation with 
the Extension Departments of the State Agricul- 
tural Colleges and the States Relations Service 
(see page 125). Men engaged in this work instruct 
farmers in the feeding of dairy cows, the raising of 
calves, construction of silos and dairy buildings. 
They also introduce herd records, give advice in the 
selection of pure bred bulls and assist in the organ- 
ization of cow testing and bull associations. 

They also give assistance in the organization of 
creameries and cheese factories. 



44 Use Your Government 

In the enforcement of the Food and Drngs Act the 
Bureau of Chemistry often finds that certain milk 
Bureau of supply is impure. This is generally due 
Chemistry, to lack of sanitation, and the inspectors 
of the Department in such cases investigate the 
farms from which the milk has been bought. They 
endeavor to instruct the farmer in modern methods 
of sanitation so that his milk may be brought up to 
standard requirements. 

Investigations are being made for the benefit of 
the farmer concerning the utilization of various 
waste by-products as cattle food. A special inves- 
tigation concerning forage crops is being made by 
the Bureau of Chemistry in order to find out their 
chemical composition and values as stock food. 



U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

^UfliS'lfflLLETl ^^ 




(>()2 



Conuihution froi!, tlu- Bunau ol Ariim.il lii.lustry, A. D. Mclvm. Chief. M 




PRODUCTION OF CLEAN MILK. 

Kvcry ownci- oi' a dnirv licnl sliouii! roiisidiT it hi- (lul\ to Iiiin- 
solf and to tlif cuiuniimitv to keen only healthy cows, supply them 




FlU. I.— Aclo;inmmaTiiiatl>aii-t,:Mi'at.niilki].i;in;i.-. Ni.i.' UuMl.-un suK .:;aDU;iry iniikiuirstool, small- 
top pail, c'lAv wi; h rliMii ll;iiik,< an. I uilir:r, ^ud .vini' iry .^tul.!- >'niistruciion. ru-'.rr i)i.\m- condiiioniit, 
is an oiL'Cy iiiatti r to jirujucc cl<uu rrijlk. 
K(,TE._Thii iHillclin Lsintpn.lcrl tobeof csiwi.il%.ihif u> Al pi-Lsoii., eiiiui^cd in Uie|.ru(Uicucmofmilk, 

and also 10 consumers who arc L'licTfstcil in prwuring elcun. sai-: milk. 
4<>»;'°- Bull. 602-U— 1 



Example of a Farmer's Bulletin. 



CHAPTER VI.— GRAZING ON FOREST LANDS 
AND FOREST FIRE PROTECTION 

Along with the timber on national forests there 
is a great deal of grazing land, about 10,000,000 
Forest sheep, goats, cattle and horses graz- 

Service. ing under permit annually on the 
national forests. 

Payment for the grazing privilege is based on a 
certain fee per head for the grazing season which 
is considerably less than the fee charged on com- 
mercial ranges. 

Local settlers, farmers, and stockmen have the 
first right to the use of the range and every man who 
raises stock on the forests is allotted a certain area 
for the grazing season. In this way unfair compe- 
tition between the big man and the little man is done 
away with. Under the prevailing proper regula- 
tions the range is improved instead of overgrazed 
and denuded as has been the case with many of the 
outside public lands. 

Each farmer in or near a national forest is al- 
lowed to graze free of charge ten head of milch cat- 
tle for domestic use. 

Wherever the national forests are used for com- 

45 



46 Use Your Government 

mercial purposes an equitable charge is always 
made. Forty-five per cent, of this charge goes back 
into the state where the forest is located for the 
school and road fund. The remainder goes into the 
Treasury to offset the cost of administration. 

For the farmer who owns timber land the Forest 
Service conducts a number of special investigations 
relating to the growth and the management of for- 
ests and their utilization in order to determine how 
different types of forests should be handled. 

One of the prime purposes for the establishment 
of the National Forests is the regulation of stream 
flow which results in the retarding of soil erosions 
and the diminution of floods so destructive to farm 
lands. The forest cover on the slopes serves as a 
protection to the soil beneath, breaking the force of 
rain and melted snows which on unforested slopes 
rush off the surface causing floods and carrying off 
the soil. On a forested slope the water is absorbed 
by the humus on the ground, seeps down into the 
soil which is kept porous by the humus cover and is 
held together by the interlacing roots of trees, the 
water thus reaching the springs and streams gradu- 
ally. 

The most important part of the administration of 
the National Forests is their protection from fire. 
The average loss to the country in the past through 
forest fires is estimated at about $25,000,000 yearly. 
Very few fires on the National Forests gain much 




Forest Eangers fighting a fire in the National Forests. 




Marking timber for a sale under Government regulation. (See page 

237.) 



Grazing on Forest Lands and Fire Protection 47 

headway, because of the vigilance and efforts of the 
Forest officers. Every effort is also made to pre- 
vent fires from starting. 

All during the danger season a thorough fire 
patrol is maintained, and on the mountain tops are 
lookout stations where guards watch for fires all 
day long. When a fire is discovered, headquarters 
are notified and a crew is sent to extinguish it. If 
a patrolman finds a small fire he may be able to ex- 
tinguish it himself; otherwise, he seeks help from 
other Forest officers. 

For effective fire protection in the Forest, two 
things are necessary: first, a means of speedy com- 
munication whereby news of a fire may be spread 
over a large area and help summoned. This need 
is being met by the telephone lines which are being 
strung through the National Forests. Up to June 
30, 1917, more than 23,000 miles of permanent tele- 
phone line had been installed in these Forests. The 
lookout stations are equipped with telephone service 
and the patrolmen are furnished with portable tele- 
phones which they carry on their rounds of in- 
spection and which enable them to tap wires at any 
point. In case of large forest fires, emergency lines 
are laid from the fighting line to the headquarters or 
base of supplies. Several miles of this emergency 
equipment may be strung in a day. Heliographs, 
for flashing sun messages, are also used as supple- 
ments to the telephone. 



48 Use Your Government 

The second requisite for successful fire protection 
is that every part of the Forest be made accessible, 
so that men and fire-fighting equipment may be got- 
ten quickly to the scene of the fire. This need is be- 
ing met by the trails, wagon roads, and bridges 
which are being constructed on the Forests. For 
the past few years about three-quarters of a mil- 
lion dollars has been spent annually in the various 
states in which the National Forests are located in 
permanent improvements of this and other kinds, 
which not only tend toward the protection of the 
Forests from fire, but facilitate the transaction of 
other Forest business and make the Forests more 
useful to the people living in and around them. 
Nearly 3,000 miles of road and more than 25,000 
miles of train were built on the National Forests up 
to June 30, 1917. In addition to the sums hitherto 
available, one million dollars a year is to be spent 
for ten years for road construction in and adjacent 
to National Forests. 

It is only by such means as telephone lines, trails, 
and bridges that the small force on the National 
Forests is enabled to protect these Forests so effect- 
ively. It is by such means that one Sanger is en- 
abled to care for on an average of over 100,000 
acres. These improvements aid the traveler and the 
settler, facilitate the transfer of grazing stock over 
the Forests, and in other ways open up these hith- 
erto trackless wildernesses to commerce, the home- 



Grazing on Forest Lands and Fire Protection 49 

seeker, the prospector, the stockman, the hunter 
and fisherman and the vacationist. 

Different kinds of fires on a National Forest are 
combated in different ways. A surface fire burning 
up the litter scattered over the ground or a grass 
fire may, if caught early, be easily extinguished with 
sprinklers or by being beaten out with branches or 
wet gunny sacks or saddle blankets, or may be sur- 
rounded by a fire line and allowed to bum itself 
Dut. A ground fire, burning in the humus, often un- 
seen, is more difficult to combat. Trenches must be 
dug down to the mineral soil to prevent its advance. 
While neither surface nor ground fires consume the 
trees, they do incalculable damage by burning into 
the bases of trees, thus giving entrance to insects 
and fungi, uncovering the roots of trees and de- 
stroying young growth. 

The most formidable fire, however, is the crown 
fire, in which the trees themselves burn. In fighting 
fires of this kind, trees are sometimes felled ahead 
of the fire and back fires are started in advance, so 
that the main conflagration may die for lack of fuel. 
When, however, a forest fire gains full headway, 
only the merciful elements of heavy rains or revers- 
ing winds can stop it. Forest fires have been known 
to advance over 50 miles an hour and to jump 
streams half a mile wide. Under circumstances like 
these, the efforts of man are powerless. 

More important than extinguishing forest fires is 



50 Use Your Government 

their prevention. The Rangers are ever on the alert 
to prevent forest fires from starting. 

Among the permanent improvements made are 
fire lines, cleared of timber and kept free from brush 
and other inflammable material, and so constructed 
that they will prevent the spread of small fires from 
one part of a forest to another, and serve as lines 
from which fires can be fought and from which back 
fires can be set. More than 1,000 miles of fire line 
has been built on the National Forests. 



CHAPTEE VII.— EUEAL EOADS AND EUEAL 

ENGINEEEINa 

-.«, - The roads in the rural districts, as 

Office of . . ' 

Public y^GiU as sanitation and engineering, are 

Roads and attended to by the Office of Public 
Rural En- Eoads and Eural Engineering. 
^ ^' This Office administers the Federal 

Aid Eoad Act, under which the Government has 
appropriated $75,000,000.00 to cooperate with the 
several states in the improvement of post roads, and 
$10,000,000.00 for the improvement of the roads in 
the National Forests. It collects data on road mile- 
age, revenues and expenditures of each state, con- 
ducts studies of costs of construction and mainte- 
nance to determine the burden and benefits of 
improved roads to communities; makes studies of 
traffic regulations, and the adaptability of road sur- 
face types to traffic conditions. It gives assistance 
to local road authorities by demonstrating proper 
construction methods and instructs them in the road 
building art. 

In its division of testing it examines bituminous 
and nonbituminous materials to determine their 
suitability for use in particular types of road work, 
furnishes advice on such materials or their use; 

51 



52 Use Your Government 

conducts researcli, both in the laboratory and in con- 
nection with field work of the Office, to correlate 
laboratory tests with behavior in service, to develop 
improved materials or methods of use, to revise 
present methods of testing and to develop new ones, 
etc. 

The Office also investigates the physical properties 
of concrete and studies the distribution of pressure 
through fills and foundations. 

In its farm drainage investigations the Office as- 
sists farm owners in planning drainage improve- 
ments for reclaiming wet areas or improving the 
crops on the fields that are producing poor or in- 
different yields on account of excessive moisture. 
It gives advice in regard to the feasibility of re- 
claiming swamp areas and land subject to inun- 
dation and gives assistance in planning improve- 
ments for some typical areas. In order to benefit 
land owners, drainage engineers and drainage dis- 
trict officers, it makes studies of construction, oper- 
ation and maintenance of drainage improvements, 
including equipment, methods and costs of digging 
ditches, building levees, and designing drainage 
pumping plants, farm drains, and arrangement of 
tile drains. 

In farm irrigation investigations, the Office con- 
ducts studies into the use of water in irrigation, in 
looking to the prevention of waste of water and the 
determination of proper quantities to use for var- 




Crops drowned out for lack of drainage. 




Good crops on the same land, after tile drainage according to instruc- 
tion of Office of Public Roads and Rural Engineering. 



Rural Roads and Rural Engineering 53 

ions crops under different conditions of soil and 
climate ; the adaptability of methods of distributing 
water to crops; the measurement of water used in 
irrigation; the adaptability of pumping machinery 
to supply water for irrigation and determine the 
cost of installation and operation of wells and 
pumping machinery. It also conducts a study of 
customs, to determine the effect of regulations and 
law upon the use of water to irrigation farmers. 

Through its Division of Farm Engineering the 
Office advises upon and makes plans for farm light- 
ing systems, water supply systems, sewage disposal, 
farmstead buildings adaptable to all localities, gen- 
eral farm bams, storage and outhouses, sheep and 
stock barns, and refrigeration plants, and deter- 
mines the adaptability of farm machinery for par- 
ticular use. 

Rural sanitation is an important part of the work 
undertaken by the Public Health Service, which vis- 
Public ^^^^ ^^^^ 120,000 homes since the three 
Health years the work has been carried on. It 
Service. jj^ay be said to consist of: 

(1) A determination of causes responsible for in- 
sanitary conditions in rural districts and their ef- 
fect upon the health of the population. 

(2) A demonstration to rural residents of how 
the most prevalent diseases are brought about and 
how they can be most effectively and economically 
prevented. 



54 Use Your Government 

The ultimate purpose of the service is to awaken 
in rural conununities and individuals a conununal 
interest in public health questions which will, in 
turn, lead to an improvement in sanitary conditions 
and the maintenance of an efficient local health 
agency. 

The plan for these surveys is to visit as many in- 
dividual homes as possible, and to reinspect a cer- 
tain number of homes in different neighborhoods to 
find out the sanitary improvements carried out ; de- 
livery of lectures on sanitation; inspections of pub- 
lic buildings; securing the cooperation of civic or- 
ganizations and prominent citizens ; and surveys of 
the incorporated towns in the county; and making 
the civic recommendations to the authorities which 
will bring about sanitary living conditions. 

Numerous publications are issued by the Public 
Health Service with regard to rural sanitation and 
concerning the erection of proper sanitary arrange- 
ments in homes, the screening of houses, the 
keeping out of flies and mosquitoes, clean water, 
etc. 

These publications are sent out on request to au- 
thorities or separate individuals and are of assist- 
ance to the officers in their work. 

They are also sent in answer to numerous re- 
quests for advice from correspondents inquiries 
from the rural districts relating to health and san- 



Rural Roads and Rural Engineering 55 

itation being greatly encouraged by the Health Ser- 
vice. 

Advice on rural sanitation is also given by the 
Demonstration Agents of the States Relations Ser- 
vice (see page 125). 



CHAPTER VIIL— FAEM MANAGEMENT. 
PEOCURING OF FARM HANDS 

All types of farming from a purely business 
Btandpoint for the individual farmer, with a view 
Office of ^^ promoting efficiency and insure profit- 
Farm Man- able operations, are studied by the Of- 
agement. fi^e of Farm Management. 

It places the information obtained at the disposal 
of those interested to the end that unsuccessful 
farms may be converted into efficient and profitable 
business enterprises. 

The field covered by this Office is a very broad 
one, since the facts to be considered in organizing 
a farm business under different conditions and in 
various sections are even more numerous than those 
involved in other lines of business. 

The necessary information is obtained at first hand 
directly from farms in practical operation. De- 
tailed studies of thousands of farms representing all 
degrees of efficient and inefficient management, are 
made by what is known as the ^^^ survey method.'' 
This consists of obtaining complete records of the 
entire business for one or many years of practically 
all the farms in typical areas of the different farm- 
ing regions. In this way it is learned which farms 

56 



Farm Management, Procuring Farm Hands 57 

are making a profit and which are not, and the profit- 
able and unprofitable enterprises can be determined. 
It is also possible to evolve a plan of management 
which includes only the best practices, and while it 
may not embody any new or original ideas is based 
upon the fire-test of actual experience. 

Some of the more important factors stulied are: 

The type of farming best adapted to varying cli- 
matic, soil, topographic or other geographic condi- 
tions, and also with regard to market demands and 
facilities. 

The best size of farm for a given type of farm- 
ing, and the percentage of the total capital which 
should be invested in buildings, implements and 
equipment, livestock, power, etc. 

The general layout of the farm, that is, the size 
and arrangement of the fields and the location of the 
buildings with regard to efficiency and economy in 
the use of man and horse labor, as well as adapta- 
tion to the rotation of crops to be followed. 

The best rotation to practise, considering not only 
the soil conditions and the effects of rotation on 
the crop yields, but also the market for the different 
crops, the cost of hauling them, the distribution of 
man and horse labor with relation to other enter- 
prises, the utilization of present equipment, the re- 
quirements of extra equipment, etc. 

The size and character of the machine and equip- 
ment, as well as their efficient operation and care. 



58 Use Your Government 

The cheapest source of power for farm operations, 
that is, whether animal or mechanical power should 
be used, or a combination of both, and, if the latter, 
the proper proportion of each. In the case of an- 
imal power, the cheapest method of obtaining work 
animals, that is, whether to raise or buy, and the 
age at which animals should be sold to maintain 
the depreciation of a minimum figure. 

The most profitable methods of disposing of the 
different crops, that is, whether to harvest and sell 
or to feed to stock, and if to feed, the kind of stock 
to which they should be fed to return the greatest 
profit ; also whether they can be fed more profitably 
in the field without harvesting than by harvesting 
and feeding in yards or stables. 

The amount of different kinds of live stock which 
should be kept, considered not only as separate en- 
terprises, but with relation to the disposition of dif- 
ferent crops, the manure requirements of the farm, 
the utilization of products which would otherwise 
be wasted, the employment of labor, etc. 

The most profitable way of utilizing manure, con- 
sidering the labor involved and cost of equipment, 
as well as the effect on the various crops in a rota- 
tion. 

The conditions under which renting a farm is more 
profitable than owning one, together with the ad- 
vantages and disadvantages of different forms of 
tenure. 



Farm Management, Procuring Farm Hands 59 

All of these, as well as numerous minor factors, 
receive careful study and consideration by the Office 
of Farm Management in organizing a farm busi- 
ness in accordance with the laws and principles of 
the science of farm management. 

In connection with the work of the Office simple 
cost accounting systems have been worked out which 
require a very small amount of time on the part 
of the farmer but which furnish the necessary data 
from which to determine the cost of growing vari- 
ous crops, of raising different kinds of livestock and 
producing live-stock products under different con- 
ditions. All items of receipts and expenditures in 
connection with the farm business, also the labor 
requirements, both man and horse, for every farm 
product, is likewise ascertained. Important facts as 
to the relative efficiency of machines and implements 
of different sizes, when used under varying condi- 
tions, are also disclosed. Hundreds of farmers from 
all sections of the country are keeping such records 
of their business and allowing the Office of Farm 
Management to make copies of them. These rec- 
ords serve the same purpose as the survey records 
referred to above. They also serve to give to the 
farmers who keep them a better insight into their 
own farm business than they had before possessed. 

In 1908 the Government decided that it would have 
to assist the farmer in finding the help he needed. 



60 Use Your Government 

Department The Bureau therefore printed 10,000,000 
of Labor, post cards which were handed to the mail 
carriers in the rural districts all over the country. 
It was a double card with answer attached. *^If 
you are in need of labor in any form of any kind — 
just tell us on the attached post card,*' it read. 
The card was then handed back to the mail carrier 
and the Department learned in detail the labor wants 
of farmers over the entire country. 

This method was continued until 1915, when the 
labor zones were established. (See page 268.) At 
this time the employment blanks were placed in all 
the post offices with notices of this fact posted wher- 
ever feasible and in each post office. It was found 
that this method saved time, for both the workman 
in want of a job and the farmer in need of labor 
saw this notice and could on request obtain a blank 
on which to state their requirements. The address 
of the *^Zone Officer'* of the district was written on 
every blank so that when filled out it could be mailed 
in an envelope supplied by the Government 



Farm Management. Procuring Farm Hands 61 



FARMERS! 

AND 

OTHER EMPLOYERS 



DO YOU NEED HELP? 
MEN AND WOMEN-DO YOU WANT WORK? 



U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR 

eUREAU OF IMMIGRATION 
WASHINGTON. O. C 

DIVISION OF INFORMATION 
ACTINO UM> AS 

WvrSION OF EMPLOYMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF LABOR 



Forms of application for nse of employers desiring help, 
and for persons seeking employment, may be had on request 
from the postmaster or to the officer in charge of any branch 
post office during office hours, or to a rur^ mail carrier. 

These officers are not required to fill out such blanks. 

All applications, when filled out and signed, should be 
folded and returned to the postmaster, or transmitted 
through the rural mail carrier^ or through the officer in 
charge of any branch post office, whereupon they will be 
forwarded to the proper officer of the Department of Labor. 
When thus returned or transmitted no postage is necessary; 
otherwise the usual postage will be required. 

This service is free to employer and employee. 



Approved: 



a mm in i i mr(!m»*l^f f amif ttit m 



NOTICE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CONCERN, 
ING EMPLOYMENT OF FARM HANDS 



CHAPTER IX.— MARKETING. REGULATORY 
MEASURES. RURAL ORGANIZATION 

Every phase of marketing and rural organization 
is investigated and demonstrated to the farmer. 

The work may be said to fall under the following 
headings : 

I. Investigations and demonstrations regarding: 

(a) Marketing and distributing farm products 

(b) Food supply 

(c) Cooperative marketing work in various 
States 

(d) Grain standardization 

(e) Cotton standardization and testing 

II. Reporting services regarding: 

(a) The supply, commercial movement, mar- 
ket prices, and disposition of fruits and 
vegetables, livestock and meats, grain, 
seed, and hay, and dairy products. 

(b) Cold storage holdings 

in. Regulatory work in connection with the en- 
forcement of the Grain Standards Act, U. S. 
Cotton Futures Act, Warehouse Act, and 
Standard Container Act. 

62 



Marketing. Regulatory Work, Organization 63 

(a) MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTING OF 
FARM PRODUCTS 

Practical experiments are constantly being made 
by representatives of the Bureau of Markets all over 
Bureau of the country with regard to marketing 
Markets. and distribution of farm products in or- 
der that statements and recommendations regarding 
this matter may be accurate and definite. 

These experiments may be classified as follows : 

Cooperative Purchasing and Marketing 

Many of the most effective economies in market- 
ing can be practised only by very large individual 
producers or by cooperative association of growers, 
and for this reason this Bureau has made special 
study of the subject of cooperative marketing. 
There are in existence in the United States more than 
10,000 organizations of persons engaged in the mar- 
keting and distribution of farm products and the 
purchasing of farm supplies. Many of these asso- 
ciations are not well organized and as much atten- 
tion is given to strengthening them as possible, per- 
sonal aid being rendered wherever practicable. 
Studies are conducted in order to determine the 
basic factors necessary to the successful conduct 
of such cooperative enterprises. 



64 Use Your Government 

Market Business Practise 

Poor business methods have been responsible for 
the failure of many farming enterprises and this 
Bureau, therefore, has made studies regarding the 
business practises of cooperative and farmers' or- 
ganizations and other market agencies in order to 
devise suitable accounting systems and efficient meth- 
ods of business practise. Uniform systems of ac- 
counts for primary grain elevators, cooperative live- 
stock shipping associations, country creameries, cot- 
ton warehouses, fruit and produce associations, etc., 
have been devised and tried out in actual practise. 
These accounting systems have been widely adopted. 
More than 1,100 farmers' grain elevators are now 
using the system devised for them. Through the 
use of this system it has been possible to compile 
exhaustive figures showing the cost of operation in 
175 elevators. Constructive assistance is rendered 
to persons using the accounting systems by repre- 
sentatives of the Bureau, who respond to as many 
calls of this kind as possible. 

(The Bureau is concerned in this phase of 
work only in connection with farmers' associa- 
tions. The office of Farm Management is con- 
cerned with the individual farmer. See page 
56.) 



Marketing, Regulatory Work, Organization 65 

Market Surveys, Methods and Costs 

Surveys are conducted by this project to show 
areas of surplus production ; dates within which spe- 
cific areas move crops ; usual markets to which crops 
are shipped; volume of movement; the consuming 
capacities of various markets; the causes of price 
fluctuations; reasons of market preferences; and 
like matters. As a result of the studies conducted 
under this project the data was obtained for use 
as a basis for conducting the reporting service on 
fruits and vegetables. (See page 83.) 

Practically all railroads, boat lines and express 
companies handling perishable fruits and vegetables 
are now reporting to this Bureau each carload ship- 
ment of such commodities which are made over their 
lines. Eegular reports are received from approxi- 
mately 10,000 station agents on about 500 transpor- 
tation lines which represent approximately 250,000 
miles out of a total mileage of 260,000 possessed 
by the railroads of the United States. These re- 
ports cover the shipment of about 80 perishable 
commodities. The statistics obtained in this way 
will be compiled to show shipments by states, coun- 
ties and shipping points, and the shipping season for 
each county, and will furnish a basis for semi-weekly 
and weekly bulletins supplementing the telegraphic 
reports. 

Statistics are secured showing the number of cars 



wtrif-eeisi 




EXPLANATI 

THIS MAP INDICATES ACTUAL SHIPMENTS OF FKESH TO- 
DOT REPRESENTS FIVE CARS, OR FRACTION THEREOF. 
THE STATIONS ARE LOCATED, THOUGH PRODUCTION 
WHERE SHIPMENTS ARE TOO HEAVY TO BE REPRB- 
IN AND THE CARS SHIPPED GIVEN IN FIGURES. 

THE DATES WITHIN WHICH THE VARIOUS AREAS SHIP ARE 
PING AT A GIVEN PERIOD BEING GROUPED IN A ZONE 



66 




ON OF MAP 

MATOES TO MARKET IN THE SEASON" OF 1914. EACH 
THESE DOTS ARE GROUPED IN THE COUNTY IN WHICH 
DOES NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOW THE COUNTY LINES. 
SENTED BY DOTS THE COUNTIES HAVE BEEN BLACKED 

SHOWN BY CURVED LINES, ALL OF THE AREAS SHIP- 
UNDER THE LINE REPRESENTING THAT PERIOD. 



67 



68 



Use Your Government 



of perisliable commodities which have been unloaded 
day by day in the most important markets of the 
country. These statistics will show (a) the produc- 
ing sections supplying each city, (b) the competition 
from other producing sections, (c) the consuming 

RECEIPTS /NO WHOLESALE PfllCES PEfl BARn£U.IM NEW YORK CITY OF YORK IMPERIAL 
AND BEN DAVIS APPLES SEASON 1903—1910 



'^SON 



WEWcr 
fiECeiPTt 



VM 

jUO 
%M 
&00 
5.7S 
\M 

KJS 

ASO 

4L2S 

Ui 

JL75 

iM 

.125 

100 

2.7? I 

ZS» 

Z2i 

2.00 

t.n 

%M 
t2S 



OCTOBER 



DECEMBER 



JANUARY 



APRIL 



I 



A 



N — 1 



York Imperial Variety 

York imperial variety 

BEN Davis Variety 

BCN Oavis variety 



— Shows *LucTUATtONS or finest grade 

--.* SHOW.S fLUCTUATlON* OF ORDINARY OB ^> CRADC 

— Shows ixucTUATiONs or finest grade 

— .! Shows fLUcruATiONS or ordinary or f\ grade 



DIAGRAM ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF MARKETS, SHOWING 
RECEIPTS AND PRICES OF APPLES 

capacity of these markets, (d) the differences in 
the per capita consumption in different cities. 



MarTcet Grades and Standards 

Standardization is fundamental to improvement in 
marketing as, among other things, it establishes a 
basis for trading, makes for the elimination of fraud 



Marketing, Regulatory Work. Organization 69 

and prevention of waste, creates and maintains con- 
fidence, stabilizes tbe market, and encourages bet- 
ter methods in producing and handling. This Bu- 
reau endeavors to develop standards for fruits and 
vegetables, packages and containers, and to encour- 
age growers and shippers of fruits and vegetables 
properly to prepare their products for market. In- 
vestigations are made of the construction, equip- 
ment and management of fruit and vegetable pack- 
ing houses, the use of mechanical sizing machines 
and other matters. The data obtained by this Bu- 
reau regarding the standardization of packages and 
containers were used in connection with the enact- 
ment of the Federal law concerning this subject 
which went into effect November 1, 1917. (See page 
90.) 

Specifications have been prepared for apple grades 
and for a uniform state apple grading law, which 
were adopted as a whole or in part by several 
states. The necessary work has been conducted to 
enable the Bureau to make recommendations con- 
cerning the harvesting, grading and packing of 
peaches, apples, strawberries and onions, and for 
packing-house plans, equipment and general meth- 
ods of handling. Grades for potatoes have been 
recommended, and have been widely adopted. 
These potato grades were used in the marketing 
of the 1917 crop. 



70 Use Your Government 

Handling Transportation and Storage 

Work in determining the factors that govern the 
successful handling, transportation and storage of 
fruits and vegetables whereby decay, deterioration 
and loss may be prevented has recently been taken 
up by the Bureau of Markets. 

However, investigations concerning storage and 
handling have for some time been carried on by the 
Bureau of Bureau of Plant Industry, based on the 
Plant idea that effective storage* can only be 

Industry. ^f h^q fruits and vegetables. The Bu- 
reau, therefore, studies these to determine the con- 
dition under which such products can be successfully 
stored and handled to market. 

Based on this scientific and technical work, there 
have been worked out practical methods for the ship- 
ping and handling of many agricultural products. 
Advice on this subject is given to the farmers in- 
terested, by leaflets and circulars, and the usual 
methods of spreading information. 

It is evident that successful storage depends a 
great deal on the storehouses in which the farmer, 
in the first instance, places his products, concerning 
which advice is also given. 

Bureau of Extensive investigations also have 
Chemistry, been carried on by the Bureau of Chem- 
istry with regard to the preservation of poultry and 
eggs and their products for the purpose of de- 



Marketing. Regulatory Work, Organization 71 

termining the conditions under which they should 
be shipped; the question has been studied at great 
length from the killing of the poultry to its ship- 
ment. 

Transportation conditions have been thoroughly 
examined and practical experiments made in prepar- 
ing for shipment, devices being planned to determine 
the cause of spoiling, breakage, etc. 

Elaborate investigations have been made with re- 
gard to the storage of poultry and eggs. There have 
been examined the packing-house methods of chill- 
ing poultry, the freezing and drying of eggs and 
their use by the general consumer, bakers and oth- 
ers, in order to save waste and improve quality. 

The Bureau of Chemistry sends out its demon- 
strators to instruct shippers, carriers and others in 
the handling of poultry and eggs. Meetings are held 
at shipping and receiving points presided over by 
investigators to which all the industry, railroads 
agents, etc., are invited. 

Investigations on a similar important scale have 
been made with regard to the freezing, transporta- 
tion and handling of fish. Concerning this industry, 
see page 226. 

Studies are made regarding the rela- 
Bureau of tion between the farmer and the rail- 
Markets way companies in order to bring about 
more intelligent and sympathetic cooperation 
between shippers and carriers. The Bureau un- 



72 Use Your Government 

dertakes to inform carriers as to the needs of 
shippers and to give to shippers a better under- 
standing of their rights, duties and joint responsi- 
bilities with the carriers in the safe and economical 
transportation of their products. A campaign is 
carried on to educate shippers regarding the use of 
better packages, methods of harvesting, packing and 
loading, in order to reduce the great loss of food- 
stuffs in transit. Efforts are being made to en- 
courage the more effective utilization of transpor- 
tation facilities, to reduce damage claims by induc- 
ing shippers to use more care in handling and ship- 
ping, and to bring to the attention of railroads the 
necessity of providing more adequate transportation 
facilities. 

Investigations are conducted regarding the 
amount, kind and location of all available storage 
space in the country, the rates charged for its use, 
etc. Endeavor is made to educate people to the 
economic value of cold storage; to eradicate the 
prejudice against foodstuffs properly preserved by 
cold storage; and to develop closer cooperation in 
the utilization of the cold storage facilities of the 
country for the common welfare of all the people 
in the more efficient conservation of the country ^s 
food supply. (For description of cold storage re- 
ports, see page 88.) 



Marketing. Regulator!/ Work. Organization 73 

City Marketing 

Much of the waste incident to the present methods 
of marketing farm products is to be found in the 
inadequate and inefficient methods now in use in 
various cities. 

If invited to do so by a city, and if conditions are 
regarded as sufficiently typical, this Bureau makes 
surveys of marketing conditions in cities in order to 
give advice and suggestions regarding their im- 
provement. In these surveys, transportation, con- 
ditions, demand for farm products, local supply, 
etc., must be studied. 

Plans are prepared for market building and mar- 
ket places which, upon request, are modified to con- 
form to conditions in different cities. Approved sys- 
tems for the successful administration of markets 
are designed and model regulations are formulated. 
Comparative study is made of the service, prices 
and overhead expenses of various agencies and of 
city ordinances relating to marketing and distribut- 
ing farm products. This project has recently in- 
augurated a local market news service in certain 
cities. Agents are stationed in these cities to record 
the amount of each locally grown product brought 
to market each morning, and post total figures re- 
garding arrivals at as early an hour as possible, in 
order that they may serve as a guide to buyers and 
sellers. They secure complete information regarding 



74 Use Your Government 

prices obtained for various products and prepare a 
summary regarding these matters for the local 
press, bringing to the attention of the public prod- 
ucts which are in greatest supply. 

Marketing hy Parcel Post and Express 

Improved facilities for selling products of the 
farm and provisioning the home have been eagerly 
sought for many years. This work was instituted 
in order to study the possibilities of marketing from 
producer to consumer direct, and it has been found 
that this medium of communication is very useful 
in enabling the producer to dispose of small quan- 
tities of commodities not produced in commercial 
quantities. A study was made of shipping eggs by 
parcel post in lots of less than 15 dozen, and the 
conditions for their successful shipment were deter- 
mined. Experimental shipments by parcel post also 
have been made with many other commodities. Field 
studies of parcel post marketing have been made in 
certain cities, and in cooperation with the Post Office 
Department campaigns have been conducted to en- 
courage the use of the parcel post as a medium of 
marketing farm products. 

Cotton Handling and Marketing 

The handling and marketing of cotton have been 
studied in order to improve the commercial prac- 
tises surrounding the distribution of this crop. Pri- 




Cotton Classification Laboratory. Final Inspection of Cotton Standards. 

Washington, D. G. 




A complete set of the Official Cotton Standards of the United States 
for American White Cotton. 



Marketing. Regulatory Work, Orgamzation 75 

mary market surveys have shown that the price gen- 
erally received for cotton is not in accordance with 
its quality, but is based upon average receipts. This 
practise penalizes the careful grower and encour- 
ages careless production. Through these surveys it 
was possible to determine the quality of cotton grown 
in different sections of the belt and the methods 
of handling and marketing that prevail in various 
sections. The organization of cooperative associa- 
tions to handle cotton in even running commercial 
lots, has been encouraged and assistance has been 
rendered these associations in grading and market- 
ing their crop. It has been demonstrated that the 
seller who knows the class of his cotton obtains 
materially better prices by reason of such knowl- 
edge, and that large even running lots bring better 
prices than small lots. Investigations have revealed 
that the practise of selling cotton in the seed re- 
sults in enormous loss to the producer and has a 
tendency to lower the quality of cotton grown. Pro- 
ducers have been urged to use care in picking and 
handling, and abandon inferior varieties. Moisture 
tests also have been conducted showing the moisture 
content of cotton at the gin, compress, and other 
concentration points. 

Cotton Warehouse Investigations 

Investigations made by this Bureau concerning 
cotton warehousing conditions of the United States 



76 Use Your Government 

demonstrated the existence of ample storage space 
for cotton, but showed that it was badly distributed 
and that the conditions under which cotton ware- 
houses are constructed and operated are not stand- 
ardized. Information has been collected regarding 
the name, location, capacity, construction and cost 
of cotton warehouses in the United States, insur- 
ance rates, charges, loans, and interest on loans. 
In addition to the conduct of these surveys a sys- 
tem of accounts has been devised for the use of 
cotton warehouses (see Market Business Practise, 
page 64), and studies have been made of state ware- 
house laws and other matters. The practicability 
of determining the grade of cotton from gin sam- 
ples is under investigation. If it could be dem- 
onstrated that this method is practicable the neces- 
sity for cutting the covering of cotton bales, with 
the resultant loss, could be avoided. Tests are made 
to determine to what extent the value of baled cot- 
ton is affected by proper protection from the wea- 
ther and the extent to which such cotton is damaged 
when exposed. 

Marketing Cotton Seed and Its Products 

The present methods of marketing cotton seed 
cause enormous waste. If the large amount of for- 
eign matter now found in this commodity could be 
eliminated, its quality would be improved and many 
freight cars now engaged in hauling trash would 



Marketing. Regulatory Work. Organization 77 

be released for important purposes. The presence 
of the foreign matter found in cotton seed not only 
causes greater expenditures for transportation than 
if the seed were clean, but damages the seed ma- 
terially. Under present conditions, the seller of 
cotton seed of a good quality often obtains no more 
for his product than the producer of inferior, dirty 
seed, which penalizes the careful grower. The Bu- 
reau of Markets is urging all persons connected with 
the distribution of cotton seed to keep it clean and 
dry, and adopt practical commercial standards. If 
the present inefficient practises in connection with 
marketing of this crop can be eliminated, the food 
and feed supply of the country will be materially 
increased. 

Marketing Dairy Products 

(For dairy investigation, see page 42.) 
The development of the dairy industry in many 
sections of the United States is dependent upon the 
possibility of securing a satisfactory market and the 
employment of market methods which will insure the 
producers a profitable return. In order to give ad- 
vice and assistance the Bureau of Markets conducts 
investigational work regarding the marketing of 
dairy products and dairy substitutes, methods and 
costs of preparing such products for market, mar- 
ket grades and classification of dairy products, etc. 
Valuable information has been obtained by means 



78 Use Your Government 

of surveys of tlie conditions surrounding the mar- 
keting of butter, cheese and milk. 

The results of the investigations conducted by 
this project have been used in inaugurating the re- 
porting service on dairy products which has been 
commenced under the emergency fund. 

Marheting Livestock and Meats and Animal 
By-products 

(For work in connection with livestock see page 
41.) 

The live-stock industry is one of the most impor- 
tant food product industries of the country, and 
the fact that the meat supply of the nation has not 
kept pace with its growth, makes the investigation of 
this subject a matter of great importance. The 
world's present shortage of meat animals further 
emphasizes the necessity of obtaining adequate in- 
formation on this subject. 

This Bureau studies such matters as the methods 
and costs of marketing live stocks and meats, the 
marketing of live stock in the South, the organiza- 
tion and methods of cooperative live-stock shipping 
associations and farmers' cooperative packing- 
houses ; the organized facilities and methods of the 
centralized markets of the United States ; the meth- 
ods and facilities pertaining to wholesale slaugh- 
tering and meat packing; the wholesale and retail 




Shipping day of Live Stock Shipping Association. Farmers delivering 

and unloading stock. 




Engineer engaged in Water Eesources measurements for the Geological 

Survey. (See page 222.) 



Marketing. Regulatory Work, Organization 7S 

prices of meat, and the distribution of packing- 
house products. 

The investigational work done in this condition 
has constituted a basis for the conduct of the tele- 
graphic news service on the market movement, etc., 
of live stock and meats. (See page 84.) 

Marketing Grain, Seed and Hay 

Grain constitutes one of the most important crops 
of the country and under conditions which are con- 
stantly changing, as at present, the need for ac- 
curate market information is emphasized. Studies 
are made of such matters as the primary and ter- 
minal marketing of grain, seed and hay, including 
the cost of marketing, comparison of the services 
rendered by independent and line elevators and co- 
operative purchasing and selling associations, and 
other agencies, future transactions and exchange 
practises, scalping prices, market quotations, ex- 
port trade, seed stock records, and other matters. 

Foreign Marketing Investigations 

Work under this heading has been largely prelim- 
inary owing to conditions abroad. As a result of 
the war, foreign trade in agricultural products has 
been greatly disturbed and upset and the recon- 
struction period undoubtedly will develop many new 
problems. Special study must be made of the for- 
eign marketing of various commodities, such as 



80 Use Your Government 

grain, grain sorghums, live stock and meats, fruit 
and wool. The post-war demand for dairy products 
is to be investigated in order that the American 
industry may be assisted in meeting the extensive 
demand which will probably ensue as the result of 
the slaughter of European herds. Information is to 
be obtained regarding the cooperative organization 
of Europe and the laws under which they have been 
developed. The business practises of such organiza- 
tions and other marketing agencies under both open 
account and exception transactions should be stud- 
ied. 

(b)' FOOD SUPPLY INVESTIGATIONS 

The information obtained through these investi- 
gations, which have been instituted recently, are to 
assist in answering the question, ' ' Who gets the con- 
sumer's dollar?'' These investigations should form 
the basis for constructive economic suggestions; 
should disclose abuses and unfair practises; and 
should confirm or dispel the suspicion that unfair 
practises prevail in our system of marketing and 
distributing farm products. For the present the 
scope of this work will be confined to live stock and 
meats, and the most important food-producing 
grains. Effort will be made to show the character 
and cost of the services rendered and the profits re- 
ceived by various agencies handling farm products 
in their progress from producer to consumer, and 



Marketing, Regulatory Work, Organization 81 

to determine the cost of production on the farm. 
If undue profits appear to be made by any one 
factor, an effort will be made to determine whether 
they are the result of unhindered economic laws or 
manipulation and artificial control. 

(o) COOPERATIVE MARKETING WORK IN 
VARIOUS STATES 

This work is carried on in cooperation with cer- 
tain states which have appropriated money for mar- 
keting purposes. Field agents are stationed in va- 
rious states and are jointly employed by the states 
and the Bureau of Markets. These agents direct 
all of the marketing work undertaken in the state 
in which they are stationed. There are always a 
large number of problems which are peculiar to 
each state and it has been found that they can be 
best solved by some one thoroughly familiar with 
local conditions and possessing the viewpoint of the 
community. A number of state legislatures recently 
have created bureaus of markets, and in practically 
all cases have provided that the work is to be done 
in cooperation with the United States Department 
of Agriculture. At present work of this kind is 
conducted in over twenty states. 

(d) GRAIN STANDARDIZATION 

Investigations are being made by this Bureau to 
determine the basis for the standardization of grain. 



82 Use Your Government 

(See also United States Grain Standards Act, page 
88.) Standards for shelled corn and wheat estab- 
lished as a result of these investigations are now 
being enforced in connection with the United States 
Grain Standards Act. Standards for oats probably 
will be fixed so as to be used in grading the 1918 
crop. In connection with this work experiments are 
made in the control of smut dust and to ascertain the 
milling and baking qualities of grain and other mat- 
ters. 

(e) COTTON STANDAKDIZATION AND 
COTTON TESTING 

In conformity with the provisions of the United 
States Cotton Futures Act (see page 89), standards 
for grade of white and for colored cotton have been 
established and promulgated. The official cotton 
standards of the United States have been obtained 
from the Department by cotton exchanges, cotton 
firms, cotton mills, and other branches of the trade 
in this and in foreign countries. Demonstrations 
are made to show the value of these standards and 
promote their use, and studies are made regarding 
their adaptability to trade conditions and other mat- 
ters. Steps are being taken to prepare standards 
for Arizona cotton, Egyptian cotton, Sea Island cot- 
ton, and standards for length of staples, and the sub- 
ject of preparing standards for cotton of perished 
staple, immature staple, ginned cotton, reginned 



Marketing, Regtdatory Work. Organization 83 

cotton and for cotton linters is being considered. 
Manufacturing tests have been made to determine 
the waste, tensile strength, bleaching, mercerization 
and other qualities possessed by the different grades, 
classes and varieties of upland and staple cottons 
in order to determine their commercial and manufac- 
turing values. 

IL REPOETING SERVICE 

(a) The following periodical reports are issued by 
the Bureau of Markets: 

Any series of these reports will be sent free of 
charge to all persons who show a need of them, 
upon receipt of request. Telegraphic reports will 
be sent ** collect." 

Fruits and Vegetables 

Daily Market Reports of Perishable Fruits and 
Vegetables. These reports are issued from perma- 
nent stations in most of the more important markets 
and from numerous temporary field stations in va- 
rious producing areas during crop movement. They 
contain : 

1. Telegraphic reports from all principal mar- 
kets giving the number of cars of each com- 
modity unloaded daily, the origin of these com- 
modities, prevailing jobbing prices, quality and 
condition of receipts, and marketing and weath- 
er conditions. 



84 Use Your Government 

2. Telegraphic reports from all railroads han- 
dling the crops in question, giving shipments 
from each state or district up to midnight of 
the night before. 

3. Numerous f. o. b. prices from the Bureau's 
representatives in producing territory. 

WeeMy Carlot Summaries. These reports give 
the total number of cars shipped from each state 
by days and weeks, as reported telegraphically daily 
to this Bureau by the transportation companies. 
(Of primary interest to newspapers and statistical 
students.) 

Weekly Market Review. This review summarizes 
the trend of shipments and market prices for per- 
ishable fruits and vegetables as given in the daily 
telegraphic reports. (Of primary interest to news- 
papers and trade papers.) 

Livestock and Meats 

Daily Market Reports on Meat Trade Conditions. 
These reports show prices, supply, demand and 
trend of the market for beef, veal, pork, lamb and 
mutton in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and 
Washington, D. C. They are issued early each morn- 
ing from local offices of the Bureau at those points 
and at Chicago, Fort Worth, Kansas City, Omaha, 
and Portland, Oregon. 

Daily Market Reports on Wholesale Meat Prices. 
For western dressed beef, mutton and lamb in Bos- 



Marketing, Regulator!/ Work, Organization 85 

ton, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, 
D. G. 

Daily Reports on Live Stock Loadings. These re- 
ports show the number of cars of each kind of live 
stock loaded the day previous in the United States 
west of the Alleghany Mountains, classified by des- 
tinations, also tabulated by state origins for a num- 
ber of the larger market centers. The loading re- 
ports are issued early each morning from the same 
offices which issue reports on meat trade condi- 
tions. 

Weekly Summary of Meat Trade Conditions. Bul- 
letins are issued on each Saturday morning giving 
a review of market supplies, demands, and prices 
of beef, veal, pork, lamb and mutton at Boston, New 
York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D. C. They 
are distributed from the above named local offices. 

Monthly Receipts of Live Stock at Stock Yards, 
Bulletins are issued shortly after the first of each 
month showing the receipts during the preceding 
month of cattle, hogs, sheep and horses at some 60 
stock yards representing over 50 cities. They are 
transmitted to the above mentioned local offices by 
leased wire and released simultaneously from all of- 
fices. 

Monthly Shipments of Stockers and Feeders, 
These reports, which are issued shortly after the 
first of each month, show the number of head of cat- 
tle and sheep shipped during the preceding month 



86 Use Your Government 

from some 25 market centers for feeding and grazing 
purposes. 

Wool 

Quarterly Reports on the Supply of Wool, These 
reports show the supply on hand June 30, Septem- 
ber 30, December 31 and March 31, of all classes 
and grades of wool, top and noils, both foreign and 
domestic. The data also are tabulated by states and 
by cities. The first report was issued as of June 
30, 1917. 

Dairy Products amd Oleomargarine 

Monthly Reports on Manufactured Dairy Prod- 
ucts and Oleomargarine, These reports show the 
quantity of butter, cheese, condensed milk and other 
dairy products, as well as oleomargarine, manufac- 
tured in each State, and the production for the cor- 
responding month of the previous year. The first 
report covers the month of September, 1917. 

Grain a/nd Hay 

Biweekly Graim and Hay Market Reports, These 
reports are issued biweekly for the Middle Atlantic 
Division, which includes Delaware, Maryland, Vir- 
ginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Car- 
olina. They show stocks on hand, prevailing prices 
and demand for wheat, corn, oats and hay. Special 
reports on other grains and market conditions usu- 



Marketing. Regulatory Work, Organization 87 

ally accompany these reports. Similar reports will 
be issued for the North Atlantic, Southeastern and 
Southwestern Divisions beginning November 15, 
1917. (This is being considered.) 

Seeds 

Monthly Seed Information Bulletin. This bulle- 
tin will be issued each month and at such other times 
as may seem desirable. It will give information re- 
garding receipts, shipments, prices, qualities, supply 
of and demand for seeds obtained through the Seed 
Reporting Service. It will report the official activ- 
ities of the Department Seed Stocks Committee, and 
will contain seed information from other branches 
of the Department. 

Beans 

Semiweehly Market Reports on Dry Beans. A 
special semiweekly market news service on dry 
beans, including navy, pinto and related varieties, 
was inaugurated October 3, 1917, and reports are 
issued Wednesday and Saturday of each week. Job- 
bing and carlot prices as well as arrivals are ob- 
tained from the following markets : Pittsburgh, Chi- 
cago, Boston, New York City, Buffalo, Philadelphia, 
Fort Worth, Dallas, Denver, St. Louis, Kansas City, 
and Rochester. The reports also cover shipping 
point information in Colorado and New York. 



88 Use Your Government 

(b) Monthly Reports Showing Cold Storage Hold- 
mgs of the following perishable commodities in the 
United States are being issued: 

Box apples Bry salt pork 

Barrel apples Sweet pickled pork 

Case eggs Lard 

Frozen eggs Lamb and mutton 

American cheese Broilers 

Creamery butter Boasters 

Packing stock butter Fowls 

Frozen beef Turkeys 

Cured beef Miscellaneous poultry 

Frozen pork Frozen fish (25 classes) 

III. EEGULATORY WORK 

Eegulatory measures in connection with market- 
ing are the following: 

Grain Standards Act 

The enforcement of the United States Grain 
Standards Act involves the fixing of standards for 
Bureau of grain, and the promulgation of rules 
Markets. and regulations for the enforcement of 
the Act; the issuance of licenses to persons qual- 
ified to inspect and grade grain, and the determina- 
tion of their competence ; the hearing and determina- 
tion of disputes which are referred to the Secre- 
tary under this Act; and the supervision of the 



Marketing. Regulatory Work. Orgamzation 89 

inspection of grain in order to secure the accurate 
application of the official grain standards. As men- 
tioned under Grain Standardization (page 81) 
standards have been fixed for shelled corn and 
wheat, and probably shortly will be fixed for 
oats. 

For the purpose of administering this Act the 
country has been divided into 35 supervising dis- 
tricts with a supervisor and headquarters in each 
district. 

Cotton Futures Act 

The enforcement of the Cotton Futures Act in- 
volves the fixing of standards for cotton (see Cot- 
ton Standardization, page 82), and the promulga- 
tion of rules and regulations under which the Act 
is enforced; the hearing and determination of dis- 
putes as to the grade, quality, and length of staple 
of cotton, tendered in settlement of future con- 
tracts made in compliance with this Act; the in- 
vestigation of future markets for cotton to ascer- 
tain how accurately their future quotations reflect 
spot values, and other matters; and the prepara- 
tion and distribution of practical forms of the stand- 
ards fixed and promulgated. As mentioned under 
Cotton Standardization (see page 82), standards 
have been fixed for grade of white and for colored 
cotton. Fifteen cities have been named as bona fide 
spot markets and eleven of these are used for ob- 



90 Use Your Government 

taining commercial differences as required by the 
Cotton Futures Act. 

United States Warehouse Act 

This act differs from the cotton futures, grain 
standards, and standard container laws in that it is 
permissive — ^not mandatory. Its main purpose is to 
establish a form of warehouse receipts for cotton, 
grain, wool, tobacco, and flaxseed, and to make these 
receipts easily and widely negotiable as delivery or- 
ders or as collateral for loans. The work in con- 
nection with its administration involves the inspec- 
tion and classification of warehouses applying for 
licenses and the licensing of those found suitable for 
the proper storage of cotton, grains, flaxseed, wool, 
and tobacco ; the licensing of persons qualified to act 
as warehousemen under this Act, the duties of ware- 
housemen and the conditions of the bond required 
of them must be prescribed. Rules and regulations 
under which this Act will be administered, with re- 
spect to cotton, are now being formulated. 

Standard Container Act 

This Act became effective November 1, 1917, its 
object being to fix standards for Climax baskets for 
grapes, and other fruits and vegetables, and to ^ 
standards for baskets and other containers for 
small fruits, berries and vegetables. Rules and reg- 
ulations for the enforcement of this Act have been 



Marketing, Regulatory Work, Organization 91 

established and promulgated. Under it, it is un- 
lawful to manufacture for shipment in interstate 
commerce, or to ship in interstate commerce either 
empty or filled containers which do not comply with 
its provisions. 

It is thought that this act will do much to dem- 
onstrate short measure packages and voluntary com- 
pliance with its provisions will be obtained as a re- 
sult of educational work conducted by the Depart- 
ment, trade papers, package manufacturers and oth- 
ers. 

The Bureau of Markets has cooperated with 
state and local agencies in the conduct of social and 
Bureau of economic surveys regarding rural organ- 
Markets, izations in local communities for a num- 
ber of states and has prepared survey blanks suit- 
able for such investigation, which will be supplied 
upon request. 

The Bureau has issued bulletins discussing the 
principles and practises of successful rural organi- 
zation. It has also prepared articles and by-laws for 
farmers' community clubs organized for the discus- 
sion of problems of general community interest — 
both social and economic. 

A study has been made regarding the social, ed- 
ucational, and recreational features of community 
and county fairs, with a view to suggesting improve- 
ments in the organization and arrangement of such 
fairs. 



92 Use Your Government 

The Bureau of Markets has also made a study 
of rural social center activities. Rural community 
buildings have been studied at length and valuable 
information obtained with reference to the cost, 
financing, maintenance, management, and activities 
of such building enterprises in various parts of the 
country. 



CHAPTEE X. FAEM FINANCE 

The Department of Agriculture for some years 
prior to 1916 conducted extensive investigations re- 
_ , - garding conditions and facilities for 

Farm Loan ^^^^^ mortgage credits in tlie United 
Bureau. States. The result of these investiga- 
TheTreas- tions were published with detailed dia- 

^' grams showing the rates of interest and 

commissions throughout the various states. 

Two commissions appointed to investigate condi- 
tions bearing on cooperative farm credits in Euro- 
pean countries made reports and recommendations 
to Congress with reference to congested legislation. 
With the aid of the Department of Agriculture and 
the above-mentioned commission, there was passed 
on the 17th of July, 1916, the Federal Farm Loan 
Act, which established a system of twelve Federal 
Land Banks, as follows : 

District 1. Haine, New Hampshire, Ver- 
mont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Isl- 
and, New Jersey, New York. 

BANK at SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 

Bjistrict 2. Pennsylvania, West Virginia, 
Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, District of Co- 
lumbia. 

93 



OincRAM a FARM MORTGAGE LOANS 
•AVERAGE KATES FOR INTEREST /\ND COMMISSION 

1 I Annukl ComnsKM 



IffttRtST 



STATt 



RATt PtK CliNT 



3 



8 



tp G 



Mc, 

Kll 

Vt. 

MAa. 

Ri 

Com 

KY 

NJl 

Pa. 

Ohio 

Inoi . 

ILL 

MlCM. 

Vis. 

Minn. 

lovA 

Ma 

N.a 

SD. 

NCBR. 

KnNi 

Del 
Ma 
Va. ! 
V.Va. 
NC,' 
S.C. ; 
Ot ', 

Ky ' 

TCNN. 

Ala. 
Miss. 
Aru. 
La. 

Onuv. 
Tex.. 

MoNt 
Idaho 
Vva 
Colo. 
N.M. 
Ariz. 
Utah 

VftSM. 

Orl 
Cftur. 



CI 









DIAGRAM SHOWING RATES OF INTEREST IN THE VARIOUS 

STATES. 



94' 



Farm Finance 95 

BANK at BALTIMOEE, MD. 

District 3, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
Georgia, Florida. 

BANK at COLUMBIA, S. C. 

District 4, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, 
Ohio. 

BANK at LOUISVILLE, KY. 

District 5. Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama. 
BANK at NEW ORLEANS, LA. 

District 6. Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas. 
BANK at ST. LOUIS, MO. 

District 7. North Dakota, Minnesota, Wis- 
consin, Michigan. 

BANK at ST. PAUL, MINN. 

District 8. South Dakota, Wyoming, Ne- 
braska, Iowa. 

BANK at OMAHA, NEBRASKA. 

District 9, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, 
Oklahoma. 

BANK at WICHITA, KANS. 

District 10. Texas. 

BANK at HOUSTON, TEXAS 

District 11. California, Nevada, Utah, Ari- 
zona. 

BANK at BERKELEY, CAL. 

District 12. Washington, Montana, Oregon, 
Idaho. 

BANK at SPOKANE, WASH. 



96 Use Your Government 

According to this Act fanners desiring loans are 
required to become members of local national Farm 
Loan Associations. However, every farmer in the 
United States is included in the territory of one 
of the above mentioned twelve Federal Land Banks. 
Every farmer, therefore, will have access to a loan 
under the Act, provided he complies with the con- 
ditions provided by the law. The Federal Land 
Bank system is designed as far as possible to do 
away with the old farm mortgage system, under 
w^hich the borrower often paid excessive rates of 
interest and commissions, with additional charges. 

Under the system of the Federal Land Banks no 
loan is permitted at a rate of interest exceeding 
six per cent. The rate of interest charged the bor- 
rower must not exceed by more than one per cent, 
the interest paid on bonds which the Federal Land 
Banks are authorized to issue. Not only is the 
rate of interest limited to six per cent., but provision 
is also made so that the farmer escapes the annoy- 
ance and expense of bonuses and commissions. 

The actual rate of interest charged the farmer 
for the first year is at a uniform rate of five per 
cent. 

Under the law these loans are to be made in 
periods of not less than five nor more than forty 
years. In actual practise this is usually thirty-six 
years. 

Each loan must make provision for annual or 



Farm Finance 



9T 



semi-annual payments on its principal so calculated 
that the debts will be entirely paid at the end of the 
period. After a loan has run for five years the 
borrower is given the option of paying any addi- 
tional sum on the principal in multiples of $25.00 
on any interest date. The following table will give 
an idea of the manner in which the debt is paid 
off. It shows the annual payments applied on a 







Interest at 5 per cent. 




Ck)mpleted years 


Payment 


Interest 


Applied 

on 
principal 


Principal 

still 
unpaid 


1 


$80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 

80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 

80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 

80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.24 
80.33 


$50.00 
48.49 
46.90 
45.23 
43.48 

41.65 
39.72 
37.69 
35.56 
33.33 

30.98 
28.52 
25.93 
23.22 
20.37 

17.37 
14.23 
10.93 

7.46 
3.83 


$30.24 
31.75 
33.34 
35.01 
36.76 

38.59 
40.52 
42.55 
44.68 
46.91 

49.26 
51.72 
54.31 
57.02 
59.87 

62.87 
66.01 
69.31 
72.78 
76.50 


$969.76 


2 


938.01 


3 


904.67 


4 


869.66 


5 


832.90 


6 


794.31 


7 


753.79 


8 


711.24 


9 


666.56 


10 


619.65 


11 


570.39 


12 


518.67 


13 


464.36 


14 


407.34 


15 


347.47 


16 


284.60 


17 


218.59 


18 


149.28 


19 


76.50 


20 








Total 


$1,604.89 


$604.89 


$1,000.00 









98 Use Your Government 

loan of $1,000.00, running for a period of twenty 
years with interest at five per cent. 

This method of repaying loans has a two-fold ad- 
vantage. It encourages the borrower in habits of 
thrift, through the requirement of a systematic plan 
of paying oif his debts, and at the same time it 
makes it possible to place the farmer's loan at a 
lower rate of interest. The gradual reduction of 
the principal constantly improves the security for 
the balance. 

These loans under the Federal Farm Loan Act 
in many cases assist tenants and other landless men 
in the purchase of farms. For a loan amounting 
to fifty per cent, of the value of the farm may be 
obtained on conditions which make it possible for 
the borrower to repay the indebtedness out of the 
farm income. Many farmers will find it advanta- 
geous by reason of the better terms offered to bor- 
row money under the new system in order to pay 
off their existing indebtedness. Other farmers will 
be enabled to make needed improvements which 
they have hesitated to undertake before on account 
of the difficulty of obtaining loans on acceptable 
terms. 

In order to obtain a loan from a Federal Land 
Bank the borrower must agree to use the proceeds 
of the loan for one or more of certain objects speci- 
fied in the Act: for the purchase of land for agri- 
cultural use, for equipment, fertilizer, and live stock 



Farm Finance 99 

for the land mortgaged; for buildings and other 
permanent improvements on the said land ; or, with 
certain limitations, for the payment of indebted- 
ness. 

The borrower mnst furnish as security a first 
mortgage on farm land. The amount of the loan 
must not be less than $100.00 nor more than $10,- 
000.00. The loan must not exceed fifty per cent, of 
the appraised value of the farm lands, and twenty 
per cent, of the value of the permanent improve- 
ments adequately insured. The borrower must be 
engaged or about to be engaged in the cultivation 
of the farm mortgaged. 

He will also be required ordinarily to become a 
member of a local National Farm Loan Association. 

In order to form a local National Farm Loan As- 
sociation the following steps are required: 

At least ten prospective borrowers are necessary 
in order to organize a local National Farm Loan 
Association. The aggregate amount which they wish 
to borrow must not be less than $20,000.00. Every 
member is required to subscribe for shares of stock 
in the association ($5.00 shares) equal in amount to 
five per cent, of his proposed loan. 

Each association has a board of not less than 
five directors, which board elects a president, a vice- 
president, a secretary-treasurer, and a loan commit- 
tee of three members. These officers, except the 
secretary-treasurer, must be part of the association. 



100 Use Your Government 

The Federal Farm Loan Board will supply model 
forms for articles of association and by-laws, appli- 
cation blanks for loans, and other necessary papers. 
After the articles of the association are signed by the 
members they must be forwarded to the Federal 
Land Bank of the district. These articles of asso- 
ciation must be accompanied by a written report 
of the loan committee, such committee having pre- 
viously appraised the farm land security offered by 
each member, and having duly indicated its approval 
on the application blank of each member. 

The Loan Association is required to subscribe 
for shares of stock ($5.00 shares) in the Federal 
Land Bank equal in amount to its own shares, and 
this subscription for stock in the Federal Land 
Bank must accompany the other papers. 

After a Federal Land Bank has received such 
articles of association with the accompanying affi- 
davit and stock subscription, the directors of the 
said Federal Land Bank are required by law to send 
an appraiser to investigate the solvency and char- 
acter of the applicants, and the value of their lands, 
and to determine whether in their judgment a char- 
ter should be granted to the Association. If the 
decision of the directors of the land bank is unfa- 
vorable, the charter will be refused. If their de- 
cision is favorable, the charter will be granted by 
the Federal Farm Loan Board, unless good cause 
can be shown for refusing it. 



Farm Finance 101 

Each Federal Land Bank will be an institution 
upon which the farmers of the district can rely 
at all times as a source for mortgage loans, pro- 
vided they comply with the provisions of the law. 
To this institution the farmer can turn for loans, 
not only in normal times, when there is a relatively 
good opportunity for obtaining investment capital, 
but also in times of stringency when even the farm- 
er with well established credit often finds it dif- 
ficult to obtain loans on reasonable terms. 

The Government has made extensive investiga- 
tions relating to the factors affecting interest rates 
and other charges on short-time farm loans. The 
results of these investigations were published in 
bulletin form and tables were given showing inter- 
est rates and other charges on short-time loans by 
states and districts as well as for the country on 
the whole. These showed that climate and soil exert 
a relatively permanent influence upon the interest 
rate and other charges. 

The Government has endeavored to encourage im- 
provement in the farmer's personal credit, partly 
by amending existing banking laws, and partly by 
educational and demonstration work. A special 
clause was included in the Federal Reserve Act, 
which permitted a Federal Reserve Bank to dis- 
count longer time paper for agricultural purposes 
than is allowed in the case of commercial or indus- 
trial paper. The reason for this is the following s 



102 Use Your Government 

The financing of agricultural enterprises is known 
to acquire longer time, on the average, than that of 
ordinary commercial transactions. Thus, whereas 
commercial and industrial paper is usually made 
out for thirty, sixty or ninety days, agricultural 
paper more often runs for a longer period owing to 
the seasonal character of agricultural enterprises. 
Federal Eeserve Banks are authorized to redis- 
count certain kinds of notes, drafts, and bills of ex- 
change, when endorsed by member banks. When 
such paper is for agricultural purposes, or is based 
on live stock, it may be accepted for rediscount pro- 
vided it runs for a period not to exceed six months. 
However, all paper for commercial and industrial 
purposes must have a maturity not exceeding nine- 
ty days, in order to be eligible to rediscount. 

The importance of the rediscount privilege 
through Federal Eeserve Banks lies in providing 
such paper with a wider market than is afforded by 
local banks. 

Bureau of The Federal Government carries on 
Markets. investigations and demonstration work 
for the improvement of the farmer's personal credit. 

The Department of Agriculture through its Bu- 
reau of Markets has suggested articles of agree- 
ment for farmers who desire to improve their credit 
through organization. 

In some cases where conditions are feasible the 



Farm Finance 103 

department has prepared to give active field assist- 
ance in organization for credit improvement. 

Two general methods of organization recommend- 
ed may be noted: 

That of temporary agreements with existing loan 
agencies — snch agreements terminating with the 
payment of the loan. 

Permanent articles of agreement among the farm- 
ers themselves by cooperative credit associations. 

With regard to temporary agreements with ex- 
isting loan agencies three different ways are sug- 
gested. Each of these plans has enabled farmers to 
borrow money at reduced rates of interest, and on 
more favorable terms of repayment than are usual. 

The three forms of temporary agreements sug- 
gested run as follows : 

(a) That farmers enter into an agreement with 
local bankers or with other persons who supply the 
loans to adopt a uniform and approved system of 
some farm improvement. The security given by 
the farmers is not different from that usually re- 
quired. In the case of dairy stock those supplying 
the funds usually buy the stock for the farmers. As 
a matter of fact, those persons furnishing the funds 
also buy the stock in every case, usually under the 
advice of specialists connected with the State or 
federal Government. The stock thus bought is then 
sold to the farmers at actual cost, plus a certain 
percentage to cover incidental expenses. 



104 Use Your Government 

The lender takes in payment the farmer's per- 
sonal note with or without endorsement or with 
mortgage security on the stock purchased. 

Under this plan, as worked out in certain local- 
ities in North Dakota, the farmer has borrowed 
money on his personal note with interest at eight 
per cent., whereas the usual local rate is ten or 
twelve per cent. The notes were drawn for periods 
varying from six months to a year, but permitted re- 
newals and partial prepayments on the principal. 

(b) Under this plan additional security is sup- 
plied by having the farmers collectively assume a 
certain guarantee for the notes given by the mem- 
bers under the agreement. An illustration of how 
this has worked out is afforded on an irrigation 
project in southern Montana. Nineteen farmers or- 
ganized an association and appointed trustees to 
represent the association in dealing with a local 
bank. The trustees were authorized to guarantee a 
limited amount to the bank on the joint and several 
liability of the associate members. By adding this 
guarantee to the security offered by the individual 
farmers, the latter were able to secure the neces- 
sary capital for the purchase of two carloads of 
heifers which were shipped in from another state 
in August, 1913. 

(c) K, in place of the limited guarantee supplied 
by farmers themselves jointly, as described in plan 
(b), a similar guarantee from a third party be 



Farm Finance 105 

submitted, the essential features of a third plan 
will be the result. 

Such a project was carried out in northwestern 
Wisconsin in the spring of 1913 and in northeast- 
ern Minnesota in the winter of 1914. The third 
party consisted of local business men who realized 
their common interest with the farmers in the gen- 
eral improvement of agricultural conditions in their 
territory. One agreement was made between the 
farmers and trustees appointed by bankers, and 
another agreement between the trustees and busi- 
ness men. The latter subscribed a certain percent- 
age of the funds loaned, with the understanding that 
the money was to be a guarantee fund to protect 
the bankers. The first purchase made under this 
plan in northwestern Wisconsin included several 
carloads of dairy stock. 

The Government has issued a bulletin showing 
the need of cooperative credit associations in the 
United States, such as already exist in Europe and 
Canada. 

In this bulletin it is pointed out that there are 
many farmers who realize the importance of im- 
proving their equipment and farm methods but who 
lack the capital required to make the desired 
changes. At the same time the terms on which they 
may be able to borrow the necessary funds are not 
such as to encourage the use of a loan. Where a 
group of neighboring farmers are thus similarly sit - 



106 Use Your Government 

uated a cooperative credit association may supply 
the needed additional security by placing the col- 
lective good will of the group behind each of the 
members. 

Such an association would also provide for the 
accumulation and use of local savings, afford train- 
ing in business habits and procedure, supply a col- 
lective fund for agricultural purposes and render 
service to its members in other ways. 

The Government is making a special study of this 
subject with a view to encouraging the extension 
of this form of organization among farmers who 
desire to improve their personal credit. 

The Bureau of Markets is prepared to render 
active field assistance to farmers who desire to or- 
ganize Farmers' Mutual Insurance Companies. De- 
tailed field studies in all parts of the United States 
have already been made and bulletins issued. 

A set of farmers' by-laws for Mutual Fire In- 
surance Companies has also been prepared and is 
included in a bulletin dealing with this subject. 



CHAPTEE XL INVESTIGATIONS CONCEEN- 

ING DISEASES PEEVALENT IN 

EUEAL DISTEICTS 

Public The Public Health Service does im- 

Health portant work with regard to diseases 

Service. prevalent in rural districts. 

In certain of these there is a proportion of 40 per 
cent, of malaria, which is prevalent wherever the 
malaria mosquito exists (see page 34). This dis- 
ease has been a great misfortune to the farmer both 
in regard to his health and the value of his farm 
lands. Land which should be worth from $50.00 to 
$60.00 an acre has oftentimes been reduced to $15.00 
or $20.00, if infested with mosquitoes. Investigations 
have been carried on by the Service in cooperation 
with the health authorities of the localities con- 
cerned, and many areas drained, oiled, and other- 
wise treated, these measures serving as examples 
for other communities. 

Studies were made and controlled measures un- 
dertaken of the several species of mosquitoes preva- 
lent, their selection of breeding places, flight, habits 
in relation to man, attraction and repulsion, geo- 
graphical distribution, etc. In the hospitals cases 

107 



108 Use Your Government 

of malaria were studied with reference to immtmity, 
effect of remedies and their methods of administra- 
tion. Economic studies in connection with field sur- 
veys were also made and data from all available 
sources, including insurance companies, were se- 
lected. 

Specially infested regions were the rice-growing 
districts, where it is necessary to flood the fields 
for the development of the crops. This operation is 
an important cause for the breeding of mosquitoes 
and the rice-growing districts have therefore inter- 
ested the Service. 

Popular bulletins and pamphlets have been issued 
by the Service for the benefit of farmers, such as 
'* Malaria — ^lessons on its cause and prevention," 
'* Malaria Control — drainage as an antimalarial 
measure," **What the Farmer Can Do to Prevent 
Malaria," '* Antimalarial Measures for Farm- 
houses and Plantations," * ^ Demonstrations of Ma- 
laria Control," *^ Screening as an Antimalarial 
Measure," *^ Prevention of Malaria — suggestions on 
how to screen the home to keep out effectively the 
mosquitoes which spread the disease," ** Control of 
Malaria — oiling as an antimosquito measure." 

Another disease prevalent in the rural districts 
is pellagra, which is often the cause of insanity. 
Investigations have been made by the Service and 
it has been found that the disease is due to the 
unbalanced diet often customary with inhabitants 



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USITJ For COA/O/r/Of^S OTft£A THAN MALfiMA. 
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CHART SHOWING HOW MALAKIA WAS EEDUCED IN 1916 
AFTER MEASURES INSTITUTED BY U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH 
SERVICE. 

109 



110 Use Your Government 

of the country districts, where in certain parts it 
causes more deaths than tuberculosis. Great ef- 
forts are being made to educate the people to a 
well-balanced diet. 

The Public Health Service has done very im- 
portant and humane work in the Appalachian Moun- 
tains and other rural districts where the inhabitants 
suffer from trachoma, a contagious disease of the 
eyes which frequently ends in blindness. Small hos- 
pitals were established in districts known to be in- 
fected, which proved the best method of curing and 
preventing the disease, 20,000 cases having been 
treated with success. The longer these hospitals 
are established, the more the people understand 
their importance and necessity. They have proved 
centers for creating interest in public health gener- 
ally, the doctors and nurses teaching their patients 
that trachoma and many other such ills are due 
solely to unwholesome living and are entirely pre- 
ventable. 

Field clinics are held as a means of carrying on 
cures and prevention in various infected localities. 
In these temporary hospitals, which are frequently 
improvised, the officer performs operations for re- 
lief of cases, leaving at his departure a trained 
nurse in charge of the work. 

Another infectious illness prevalent in rural dis- 
tricts and under investigation by the Public Health 
Service is Rocky Mountain spotted fever. In the 





These two men led each other to the Hospital of 
the Public Health Service and went home cured. 




Operating on trachoma patients at a Trachoma Clinic. U. S. Public 

Health Service. 



Investigations of Diseases in Rural Districts 111 

Bitter Eoot Valley certain districts, owing to its 
prevalence, were almost uninhabitable, and the rich 
fertile land found there had decreased in value from 
$100.00 or $125.00 per acre to $15.00 per acre. The 
Health Service is using every effort to combat the 
fever through the education of the people as to the 
mode of transmission of the disease, which has been 
found to be due to tick bites, and the precautions 
which should be taken for its prevention. The Serv- 
ice is also making efforts to secure from the state 
authorities the enactment of proper laws and regula- 
tions restricting the grazing of horses and cattle in 
order to reduce the breeding of the ticks. 



CHAPTER XII. COURSES FOR PARENTS 
ORGANIZED BY THE BUREAU OF EDU- 
CATION 

The reading courses organized by the **Home 
Education" Division of the Bureau of Education 
Bureau of are an important method of helping 
Education, parents to further their own education. 

Parents wishing to take such a course write to the 
Division for enrolment blanks. A list of booka 
with directions how to proceed is then sent, the list 
having been selected by a committee appointed for 
that purpose. It includes books on the physical care 
of the child, its moral development, every phase of 
homemaking and a few books of fiction. After the 
books have been read the Bureau requires that a few 
simple questions concerning them should be an- 
swered, thus showing the amount of care with which 
they have been studied. If these are satisfactory a 
certificate signed by the Commissioner of Education 
is sent to the applicant confirming her as being a 
member of that particular reading circle. 

The reading courses are started through the 
schools, through publicity in the newspapers and 
magazines, by the Parent Teacher Associations and 
other educational bodies. 

112 



Courses for Parents 



113 



In connection with these reading courses the Di- 
vision carries on a direct correspondence with the 
parents who desire information regarding the fur- 







M 

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O 

m 



o 



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thering of their own education and the upbringing 
of their children. The importance attached to this 
work and its personal character can be seen from 



114 Use Your Government 

innumerable letters received from the remotest 
country districts which run in the following strain : 

**I am a widow 54 years of age. My seven 
children are grown. All of them are gradu- 
ated from High School, and those who wished 
to do so from College. I have been house- 
keeper, Mother and part of the time, breadwin- 
ner for the family more than thirty years, but 
now with the children grown and beginning to 
make homes for themselves, I must have some- 
thing to keep my interest up in living and I do 
not want them to ever feel ashamed of their 
mother. Will you kindly give me such in- 
formation as you have at hand in regard to 
courses offered?*' 

**I want to ask, will you please show me the 
way to get some of your hterature to study. I 
have three children and want to raise them to 
be men and women and am eager to get every- 
thing in my power to help them to be so. I am 
very, very poor and not able to buy literature 
but I don^t think that would be any drawback 
to the children if I raise them right and give 
them all the education I possibly can. There 
are so many mothers in this saw mill town that 
are starving mentally for such literature as you 
have." 

If the homes are really too poor to buy the books 
of the reading courses, and there are no libraries in 
the vicinity, books are loaned and the joy this gives 
may be seen from the following letter : 



Courses for Parents 115 

'* Your letter at hand. I hoped to take up the 
study of the reading courses for parents, but 
am unable to get the books required for the 
course. Your letter gives me hope. Yet I may 
not understand your generous offer. To make 
this shack into a home. To have our daughter 
grow up a good, useful woman and to learn to 
be of use to our friends and neighbors is my 
earnest desire. If you can lend me a helping 
hand my task may be easier. ' ' 

Mothers' Reading Circles and their organization 
play a very important part of the work of this 
Division. 

To get an exact idea of the methods of founding 
and continuing one of these, it is perhaps best to 
quote from the report of a ^'leader'' of one of these 
Reading Circles, which is typical of their work : 

* ^ Our circle is called the Mutual Benefit Read- 
ing Circle. The first meeting was announced 
in eight Parent-Teacher Associations and in 
the local papers. We decided to meet every 
Wednesday at my home from 11 a. m. to 2 p. m. 
This hour was chosen so that the mothers would 
have an opportunity to do their morning work 
and return in time to receive the children when 
they came from school in the afternoon. The 
members bring their luncheon and a cup of hot 
tea or lemonade is served. This feature pro- 
motes sociability. Animated discussions about 
home problems take place while the members 
sit about in groups with their lunches. 



116 Use Your Government 

'*The meetings are called to order promptly, 
as promptitude on tlie part of the leader begets 
promptness on the part of the members. A 
record showing the roll of the members, their 
attendance, written reviews, names of visitors, 
the date of enrolment of each member, resi- 
dence, telephone, the books loaned and all busi- 
ness transacted, is carefully kept. 

^* Attendance at the meetings is of three 
classes: (1) those who are working for the 
certificate and writing reviews; (2) those who 
attend for the good they may get; and (3) visi- 
tors. The average attendance has been 26 ; lar- 
gest number present, 34. Children have been 
present at every meeting. They have rarely re- 
mained in the room, preferring to play under 
the trees. During vacation period there were as 
many as 20 children at one meeting. The Circle 
hired a teacher to come and look after the chil- 
dren, the mothers contributing enough each 
time ($2.00) to pay the teacher for her work. 
She read to them, played games, and had con- 
siderable hand work done. 

*^Many of the members come a long way, at 
least two or three miles, but automobiles have 
assisted in transportation. The absentees are 
alway asked for and the pleasant notes of greet- 
ing or explanation for absence are read. 

* * At first different women read, but finally the 
leader did all the reading, as the members 
seemed to grasp the subject matter better when 
they had become accustomed to the expression 
and voice of one reader. There are frequent 



Courses for Parents 117 

reviews and always a thorough review of each 
book when it is finished, before the written re- 
views are sent in. Those who are working for 
the certificates usually take copious notes. The 
leader has made out questions and called for 
volunteer answers. Helpful passages have been 
memorized, but this has been voluntary. The 
reading is often stopped to discuss points of 
agreement and disagreement with the author. 
These discussions have proved very helpful. 

*^To assist the mothers in gaining the points 
in the books, at the close of each meeting each 
member hands in two or more questions on the 
work gone over at that meeting. 

*^Two newspapers, a local daily and a Los 
Angeles Sunday paper, report our meetings 
faithfully. 

*^At first we scarcely knew where we should 
be able to obtain all the books, but now there 
is no question of difficulty in the way. I owned 
ten of them to begin with, so I began with a 
faith that we should have them all as needed. 
One mother is buying all of them as we go 
along, and she and her husband read them at 
home as we are reading them; then she gener- 
ously loans them to those who have missed the 
readings. Our librarian has given us splendid 
cooperation. All the books of the course are on 
the shelves, and are in great demand. Our 
County Branch Librarian has done all that he 
can to secure the books for us, and has been 
quite successful. 

*'We have a sort of circulating library of 



118 Use Your Government 

kindred books to those in the course. These are 
in great demand, and have been read by many. 
Some of them are : * Self-Training for Mother- 
hood,' by Sophia Lovejoy Dickinson; * Natural 
Education,' by Mrs. Stoner; ^Character Build- 
ing,' by J. T. White; 'Mottoes and Commen- 
taries of Froebel's Mother Play,' by Susan E. 
Blow ; ' Education of Man, ' by Froebel ; * Blessed 
Be Drudgery, ' by William Gannett ; ' The Chil- 
dren of the Future,' by Nora A. Smith; *The 
Study of a Child,' by Louise E. Hogan; ** Seven- 
teen,' by Booth Tarkington; 'Story of My Life,' 
by Helen Keller; 'The Mother's Book,' by C. B. 
Burrell; 'Up from Slavery,' by Booker T. 
Washington; 'The Century of the Child,' by 
Ellen Key ; and ' Schools of Tomorrow, ' by John 
Dewey. 

"One of our kindergarten teachers came to 
us one afternoon while we were reading 'A 
Study of Child Nature' and gave us a very in- 
teresting exposition of 'Mottoes and Commen- 
taries of Froebel's Mother Play,' and explained 
some of the ways in which specific kindergarten 
plays educate the child. The circle also visited 
this same teacher's kindergarten at her invita- 
tion, and went through the various activities 
of the kindergarten along with the children. 
This teacher is a daughter of one of our mem- 
bers, and she gives us much help through her 
suggestions and her earnestness. Another one 
of the members, an ex-kindergartner, gave us a 
delightful account of a trip to Froebel's part 
of the country in the Thuringian forest, and a 



Courses for Parents 119 

visit to a genuine German Froebel kindergar- 
ten of the conservative type. 

^'We had a list of 'The Books that Most In- 
fluence My Childhood,' submitted by the mem- 
bers. This proved interesting, and covered a 
wide range, as may be imagined. 

''As to our accomplishment: We have read 
and reviewed four books and nearly finished a 
fifth, while individual members have read the 
fictional works in the course. We agreed to 
read these books by ourselves, and have thought 
it good to make this vacation reading. The 
books have all been discussed at the meetings.'' 

A great deal of work is done by the Division in 
the issuing of printed matter and pamphlets on 
home education. These treat of this subject from 
every angle, and they are sent to all women co- 
operating in the work as well as to all the members 
of the Mothers' Clubs. 

The Division of Home Education is doing every- 
thing possible to help mothers train their children 
before they are of school age through the answer- 
ing of direct questions, by the issuing of printed 
matter and through a special reading course on the 
care and training of children. 

A very important part of the work is the promo- 
tion of Parent-Teacher Associations in the rural 
districts, which are sometimes called ** Mothers 
Clubs." 

The method of organizing these is that two women 



120 Use Your Government 

are selected from eaoh school district throughout the 
country who are interested in the forming of such 
an organization. These women call together the 
parents of the neighborhood and discuss with them 
their common problems, the Bureau of Education 
furnishing a simple form of organization. It also 
suggests programs, materials for the meeting, and 
sends to these Parent-Teacher Associations, of 
which a complete list is kept, any printed matter 
that can possibly prove of interest to mothers. 
Should any problems be discussed at these meetings 
for which a solution cannot be found, the teacher in 
charge makes a report direct to the Bureau of 
Education asking for advice regarding same. 



CHAPTER XIII.— GOVERNMENT ASSIST- 
ANCE FOR RURAL SCHOOLS 

The work of the Bureau of Education in connec- 
tion with rural schools is carried on in cooperation 
Bureau of with the state systems, the Federal 
Education, authorities assisting the states officers 
when asked so to do. 

The work of this Division may be said to fall 
under the following headings : 

(1) It acts as a clearing house of information 
on every phase of rural school work all over the 
country. 

(2) It gives information concerning normal 
schools, and advice concerning the training of 
teachers. 

(3) It draws up programs of study for rural 
school work. 

(4) It organizes Rural Teacher Reading 
Courses. Throughout the country rural teachers 
are enrolled for reading courses, who are advised 
to read certain books selected for their special 
adaptability. The members of the reading course 
then send in to the Division a short criticizing syn- 
opsis of what they have gathered. Should this 

121 



122 Use Your Government 

prove satisfactory they are presented with a cer- 
tificate signed by the Commissioner of Edncation 
to the effect that they completed the required course. 

(5) The Bureau constantly sends out literature, 
with or without one of its representatives, showing 
the needs of the rural schools. 

(6) One of the most important phases of the 
work of this Division is its work of survey. 

At the invitation of authorities in charge, the 
Division sends out representatives to make a com- 
plete survey of schools in rural districts. A com- 
plete report of these surveys, together with the ad- 
vice and recommendation of the officers of the Bu- 
reau of Education thereon, is afterwards published 
for the benefit of the public at large and for other 
educational bodies. This greatly solves the prob- 
lems of communities living under similar conditions. 

However, not only problems of school work are 
solved, but better methods of administration and 
finance are discussed. 

One of the latest surveys published by the Di- 
vision and typical of this work is that of Wyoming. 
In this instance a committee appointed by the Gov- 
ernor and provided for by the state legislature sent 
an invitation to the Bureau of Education for the 
survey of its schools. 

The method of conducting this survey consisted 
in personal visits to the schools and teachers by the 
members of the survey, visits to the country su- 



Government Aid for Rural Schools 123 

perintendents, the collection of statistical data, etc. 

To arouse interest and educate the public, letters 
were sent to hundreds of rural inhabitants of Wy- 
oming, inquiring whether the schools were satis- 
factory and what complaints there were against 
them. This was done not merely to get their per- 
sonal opinion, but to get the state stirred up in 
taking an interest in its schools in sufficient measure 
to handle the legislation concerned therewith. 

The completed report and recommendations of 
the Bureau of Education, of which there were issued 
3,500 copies, was then circulated throughout the 
state. The direct result of this was that the Gov- 
ernor of Wyoming called a meeting of all the people' 
connected with the schools. This meeting lasted 
three days and discussed all the recommendations 
brought up by the Bureau of Education. Every 
possible method of arousing the people of the state 
to the importance of a change in the school legis- 
lation was used. 

The Bureau of Education gave further direct 
help in drawing up these new laws incorporating 
the changes and improvements suggested in the 
report. 

Public ^^ "the request of health and educa- 

Health tional authorities, the Service makes 

Service. surveys and investigations of problems 
of school hygiene. These investigations are large- 
ly confined to rural districts, and include not 



124 Use Your Government 

only instruction in sanitation of school buildings 
and in the determination of the physical and mental 
status of the school children, but they also include 
researches in mental hygiene. 



CHAPTER XIV.— MANNER OF DISSEMINAT- 
ING INFORMATION BY THE DEPART- 
MENT OF AGRICULTURE 

(a) Demonstration Work of the States Relations 

Service 

The States Relations Service is the only Bureau 
of the Department of Agriculture which is organ- 
States ized especially to deal with the states. 
Relations The principal points of contact have 
Service. been through the experiment work car- 
ried on by the state agricultural colleges and 
through the different extension activities of the 
Department, namely, teaching of the people on their 
farms or in their homes in a direct personal relation- 
ship. 

The demonstration work of the States Relations 
Service is conducted in two offices — one for the fif- 
teen Southern states and another for the thirty- 
three Northern and Western states. 

Their methods of organization slightly differ. 
The territory covering the Southern states is di- 
vided into the work of the ^* County Agent,'' with 
the farmers (who at the same time is the organizer 
of the Boys' Club) and the work of the ** Woman 

125 



126 Use Your Government 

County Agenf who is in charge of the Home Dem- 
onstration Work in the farmers * home, and the Girls' 
Club work. 

The territory covering the Northern and West- 
ern states is divided into three parts. The work of 
the County Agent with the farmers and the work of 
the Woman County Agent in the farmer's home 
and the Boys' and Girls' Club work. 

The only difference is the slight one of organiza- 
tion; the principles of the work are, however, iden- 
tical. 

The Government in beginning to give practical aid 
to the farmer found that the simple issuing of bulle- 
tins was almost useless as a means of instructing 
the farmer in modern methods. There was compar- 
atively little likelihood of his putting the directions 
of the bulletins into actual practise without his being 
personally shown how this was to be done. In 1904, 
therefore, the Department of Agriculture conceived 
the idea of employing men to get into personal con- 
tact with the men of the rural districts. The plan 
was first tried out in Texas and proved to be the 
ideal method of disseminating agricultural infor- 
mation. 

It was intended that the work should begin with 
the farmer. It was found easier, however, to reach 
the boys of the family first, because the farmers 
themselves objected to experimenting with their 
own time and money on ideas new to them. They 





A demonstration in applying poisoned bran in grasshopper fight. 



H^H^^^^^^IH 


' 1 







The County Agent conducts parties of farmers on "Excursions" to 
farms of successful men whose good work makes the best ' ' demon- 
stration. ' ' 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 127 

had little interest in anything that did not bring 
them immediate profit, but did not object to their 
boys working with the County Agent, and once they 
had discovered the success that attended the meth- 
ods being taught the boys they themselves began 
to turn to the Agent for advice and help. This was 
the beginning of the work of the County Agent 
which is now used all over the country to place at 
the disposal of the farmer the entire work of the 
Department of Agriculture and the State Colleges. 

The main plan of the demonstration work with 
the farmers is to select a number of them and get 
each of them to agree to carry on a ^'Demonstra- 
tion" on their own farm under the supervision of 
the County Agent. This method of demonstrating 
certain problems on the farmer's own ground was 
found infinitely more satisfactory than the method 
of model farms, partly because the farmers were 
only interested in the particular problems which con- 
cerned their own farms, and were not at all dis- 
posed to visit those of the Government, and partly 
because the farmers had an idea that the methods 
practised on the model farm would not be profitable 
under the conditions prevailing on their own farms. 

The demonstrations on their own ground invar- 
iably concern some particular problem that the dis- 
trict may have to contend with. In the case of a 
com demonstration, for instance, the farmer takes 
one acre. He cultivates it under the instruction of 



128 Use Your Government 

the County Agent, the other farmers being urged to 
come and see it in its various stages. Field meetings 
are often held in connection therewith, at which the 
demonstration is discussed in all its different 
phases. When the success of the demonstration is 
apparent the Agent persuades the other farmers 
to undertake some line of work on their own farms 
based on this experience. During his regular visits 
to the demonstration plats, the Agent is now able to 
get at the other problems of the farmer. The visits 
of the men of the district to the field bring the whole 
community into meeting for a common interest and 
gradually for the discussion of matters of mutual 
concern. 

The Agent does not pretend to the farmers that 
he is able to solve single-handed all the problems 
they have been fighting for years. He makes it clear 
to them that the Government has founded for the 
solving of these problems a gigantic department 
working hand in hand with their State College 
solely and only to furnish every known scientific 
and technical aid for the fostering of agriculture. 
He impresses on them that he is simply one part 
of a great system — a connecting link — and all the 
separate departments of the Government are at his 
disposal in order to give the farmer any assistance 
he may need. 

Many of the problems in connection with the 
Agent's work require special skill and technical 



Disseminating^ Information to Farmers 129 

knowledge. There are, therefore, employed ^* Ex- 
tension Specialists ' ' connected with the various Bu- 
reaus of the Department of Agriculture, and the 
State Colleges. These Extension Specialists are con- 
cerned with such problems as the introduction of 
silos, marketing, dairying, insect pests, etc. 

Not only does the Agent pass on to the farmer aid 
resulting from scientific investigation, but he is also 
a connection between the farmer and his Govern- 
ment in all matters needing practical assistance and 
advice. 

Generally now, in the North and West, before an 
Agent is appointed the state leaders for the Agri- 
cultural Colleges go into the county to ascertain 
whether the conditions are favorable for the appoint- 
ment of a County Agent. If so, they organize the 
county to take up the demonstration work. These 
organizations are called Farmers' Bureaus. They 
are made up of the experienced farmers of a county 
and through the local membership the Bureaus be- 
come clearing houses of information and experience 
of the farmers belonging to the county. The Agent 
gathers a great deal of local knowledge through 
this membership, which he in turn imparts as les- 
sons to those who have no knowledge of the points 
in question. The County Farm Bureau helps to 
unify the efforts of existing rural organizations 
and strengthens their work. 

In the South there exists a different system. The 



130 Use Your Government 

farmers, having been organized around a particular 
demonstration into local farmers' clubs or unions, 
come together in a central county organization made 
up of delegates from these local associations. 

That is to say, in the North and West the dem- 
onstrations come from an official organization, while 
in the South the county organizations are formed 
as a result of the demonstrations. 

The County Agents from time to time get to- 
gether a group of twenty or thirty farmers with 
their cars in a vicinity to see some particularly in- 
teresting experiment made with or without assist- 
ance by some farmer living at a distance. Not only 
are the experiences with the growing of crops thus 
exchanged, but the Agent is keenly alive to any in- 
teresting facts relating to the breeding of cattle, the 
marketing of dairy products, etc. 

Large groups of farmers from each county are 
also taken to the Agricultural Colleges to view spe- 
cial experiments which may be of vital interest to 
their own particular problems. 

Originally the Farm Bureau was simply to aid 
the County Agent's work. It is now, however, be- 
ginning to be recognized as the official agricultural 
body interested in promoting a better and more 
prosperous rural life. It is interested in home eco- 
nomics, demonstrations, boys' and girls' club work, 
farm management, demonstrations, and the work of 
the various institutional specialists. The Farm 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 131 

Bureau has now become an agency tiirougli whicli 
all groups of rural people, whether organized or 
unorganized, are able to secure a hearing. 

The principal purposes of these organizations 
are: 

(1) To bring to the Agent the advice of the best 
farmers in the county as to what ought to be done, 
and how it should be done. 

(2) To provide an organization for easily and 
quickly reaching every community in the county 
with information of value to that community or to 
the county as a whole. 

(3) To provide a plan for organized help, enlist- 
ing the cooperating of all the farmers interested in 
carrying out a county agricultural program of work. 

The woman Demonstration Agent gained access 
to the home through the girl and was able to obtain 
the cooperation of her mother. The office of Home 
Economics (Part VII, Chap. I) was her great help. 

Although the Government had given the farmer 
expert aid in his work since 1904, it did not keep 
pace with this in looking after his home. It had 
taught the farmer modern scientific methods at 
every angle of his work, while his women folk were 
still using primitive methods for their housework 
and the work of the farm that concerns them. No 
attention was given to this matter until the Depart- 
ment took up demonstration work through local 



132 Use Your Government 

agents in a small degree, whicli preceded the passing 
of tlie Smith-Lever bill in 1914. This bill agitated 
the question of increased funds not only to develop 
better farming, but to develop better homemaking 
so as to create general contentment on the farm. 

It was found that a great many farm women knew 
better methods than those they were using, but they 
were entirely handicapped for lack of money. Part 
of the purpose of the work, therefore, was to show 
the women how to convert their personal farm labor 
into a greater number of dollars and cents. And 
so they were taught first of all to help themselves 
efficiently in the handling of marketable material. 

The Women County Agents also began to impress 
the fact that no man is as dependent on the practical 
efficiency of his wife as the farmer. There was no 
need to point out her * ^ sentimental' ' value, but her 
value as a business partner had been very little 
emphasized. The County Agents made this clear 
and encouraged the wife and daughter of the rural 
districts in discovering the same methods of effi- 
ciency as the farmer already knew in his part of 
the business. The women were therefore taught in 
every possible way that their time has a value to 
the world of at least 25 cents per hour, and that it 
is their duty to finish their work as quickly as pos- 
sible so that they may enjoy their friends, their chil- 
dren and do any reading they may want to do. 

The chief practical method of accomplishing this 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 133 

was through the introduction of labor-saving de- 
vices, either bought or homemade. It was found that 
many of the women had been walking for miles with 
pails of water when a few dollars could have laid 
pipes, that they had been stooping over sinks and 
washtubs which comparatively little labor could 
change to a comfortable height. ^*Save your steps" 
has been the cry of the Home Demonstration Agent 
all through her work. 

It has been somewhat difficult to introduce modem 
methods into the farmers' homes, for anything 
that cost money was looked upon with suspicion as 
possible waste. So the Agent began by the simplest 
methods and with those as would benefit a vast com- 
munity instead of a prosperous few, and a great 
many of the labor-saving devices were even made at 
home. One of the most popular of these has been 
the homemade fireless cooker. The farm women 
have known well that their methods of frying, of 
cooking cereals, etc., left much to be desired, and the 
fireless cookers have done much to help them. The 
iceless refrigerator, also, for farms where it is im- 
possible to obtain ice and where there are no cool 
cellars has met with a very great success. These ice- 
less refrigerators are easily and inexpensively con- 
structed on a basis of evaporation. Sanitary and 
practical devices in connection with milking, butter- 
making, etc., have also been devised by the Agent. 

The health of the people on many of the farms 



134 Use Your Government 

was found to be anytMng but good, a great deal of 

fault being due to the wrong choosing of meals. So 
the Women Agents have been doing everything in 
their power to teach the women on the farms the 
value of well-balanced rations, with the aid of the 
Division of Home Economics. (See page 323.) 

Demonstrations have been made in the making of 
every kind of bread and biscuit, using substitutes 
for wheat, based on experiments made in the Bureau 
of Chemistry. 

The Demonstration Agents have also taught the 
country women how to purchase the best values. It 
was found that in a great many cases the women 
were using the fashions of the cities which were en- 
tirely unsuited to country life. The Agents are do- 
ing their very best in every way to encourage these 
women to either make themselves attractive, suit- 
able garments or are showing them how to purchase 
such at the best possible value. This also applies to 
the furnishing of their homes. Harmony and beauty 
of line and color have been pointed out and excel- 
lent results achieved. 

The work in the farmers' homes may be said to 
have begun with the Grirls ' Club work. The Women 
Agents started by organizing for the girls of each 
district garden clubs, showing the girls how to use 
their gardens to the best advantage. However, 
mere gardening was not sufficient for these girls 
who now had their ambitions awakened, and the 




A Canning Club takes lessons in canning. 




A ** Mother-Daughter " canning team. (See *' Mother-Daughter " 

Canning Clubs.) 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 135 

Woman Agent began to show them that they could 
make money out of these little plots by canning their 
produce. The idea of canning and marketing vege- 
tables was thus given to these young girls of the 
rural districts, and the ''Canning Clubs'' became 
more and more spread over the country. 

The ''Canning Club" was the foundation of all 
fields of women's work, and through it the Agent 
found herself as a matter of course allowed to enter 
into the home of the farmer's wife. And it gave 
her a splendid personal contact with everything 
that concerns the rural home. 

Before the end of the season the work of the 
young girls under the guidance of the County 
Agents proved of such efficiency that the mothers 
became eager to see how this work was done, and 
gradually the mothers and daughters were found 
both eager for the advice of the County Agent on 
everything that concerned their side of the life on 
the farm. 

The County Agent originally worked in her dis- 
trict only a few months each year. This made the 
states willing to make appropriations for the work 
in cooperation with the Federal Government. Now, 
however, she has more than ample work for the 
whole year round. 

The general scheme for work of the girls enter- 
ing the clubs lasts over about four years. During 
these four years they are supposed to learn every- 



136 Use Your Government 

thing to do with the management of a house that 
cannot be learned at school. Their work is not 
simply of an educational character, but of an eco- 
nomic value sufficient to make them almost finan- 
cially independent. 

The first years is given to the growing and pre- 
serving of tomatoes and other simple market prod- 
uce. The second year is supplemented with other 
vegetables. The third year more vegetables are 
grown and work is commenced on the fruits of the 
farm. During the fourth year the girls are taught 
the expert making of jellies and preserving of fruit. 
The produce on which they specialize depends of 
course on that best grown in some particular county. 
In some counties twenty or thirty girls are working 
on Spanish pepper and making considerable money 
in the preserving thereof. The girls are always 
taught to standardize their work so that whatever 
they make has a certain marketable value. 

When the time of the year makes it impossible for 
the Agents to continue this work the Clubs are 
given cooking lessons and sewing lessons by the 
Agents. Here again the work is of a strictly prac- 
tical kind, in so far as the girls are taught to make 
their own club uniforms and their own clothes. In 
the cooking classes they are taught to use the club 
products and to make all kinds of breads, which is 
extremely necessary on the farm. 

During the fourth year the girl is given permis- 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 137 

sion to wear the white uniform of the Agent. She 
then has sufficient knowledge of the expert methods 
the Agent has taught her to become a leader of the 
community. 

This movement has done a great deal to make 
domestic work popular among all classes of young 
girls and has developed a conception of the dignity 
and value of such work. It has also given them a 
sense of responsibility toward their sisters in the 
community. 

Scholarships are now being offered in many in- 
stances by people of means in different communi- 
ties, which allow the most efiScient girls of these 
clubs to enter the State Colleges for special courses 
in order to make them demonstration leaders of 
their communities. These girls can then be con- 
stantly appealed to for advice should the County 
Agent not be on the spot. 

The interest which the mothers took in the daugh- 
ters ' work under the Home Demonstration Agent 
States brought about a close cooperation be- 

Relations tween the older and younger members 
Service. Qf ^j^e community. Clubs were there- 
fore founded which are sometimes called ** Mother- 
Daughter'^ Canning Clubs. 

In one of the clubs organized in 1916 there were 
29 mother-daughter teams, or 58 members. The 
youngest ^'daughter'* was 9 years of age, and the 
oldest ^'daughter'' 17. This club held its meetings 



138 Use Your Government 

every two weeks in a local church. In 1917 the num- 
ber of members increased to 400, and while in 1916 
there were only 11 such clubs there were 200 of 
them in 1917. 

As a rule two meetings are held each month. The 
work of the canning season was organized with a 
view to having cooperative canning parties. This 
allows a convenient number of ''Mothers and 
Daughters'' to meet at some member's home to con- 
duct their home canning. If the club is too large 
to do all its work at one place with a single canning 
outfit, it is divided into smaller groups. Each group 
then owns its canning equipment on a cooperative 
basis. This results in much greater economy and 
efficiency. 

The following table gives an idea of the amount 
of produce canned by a club in Kansas: 

In the Northern and Western states there is 
a club leader for both boys and girls. In the South, 
States however, while there is a club leader 

Relations for the boys, the girls' clubs are organ- 
Service. J2;ed with the assistance of the Woman 
Home Demonstration Agent. (See page 132.) The 
principle is again the same, the difference being 
simply one of organization. 

In the Southern states the boys' clubs (and in 
the Northern and Western states the girls' clubs 
also) are started by a state club leader, who ar- 
ranges circulars and bulletins in a manner to be in- 



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rs. Theresa Caulk 
Mary Caulk 
rs. Oliver 
Neva Oliver 
rs. Lillian Hood 
Lois Marshall 
rs. Mary Emory 
Melbourne Emory 
rs. Carl Liebemon 
Clara Liebemon 
rs. Chas. Meyer 
Frances Meyer 
rs. Anna Rodenbeck 
Daisy Clements 
rs. Minnie Fidler 
Hazel Fidler 


rs. Dews 
rs. P. W. Rieger 
Bemadette Rieger 
rs. C. A. Linnerson 
Marvin Linnerson 
rs. Martha Brokaw 
Edith Brokaw 
rs. Veda McConnell 
Cleo Adama 




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140 




A Corn Club boy who made a record of 228 bushels of corn to the acre. 




Two hogs. Larger hog raised by boy under the direction of County 
Agent weighed 380 lbs at 9 months. Smaller one raised by his father. 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 141 

telligible to the boy and assist him in carrying out 
his club project. 

Usually the state club leader or one of his assist- 
ants, in cooperation with the leaders of the com- 
munity, finds the names of the boys who would be 
willing to take up work in connection with the pro- 
duction of some agricultural product. The boys are 
then organized in a group and pledge themselves 
to follow the instructions given them and make writ- 
ten reports of the progress of the work. 

The leader gathers the boys together in a school 
or some place convenient to all of them. They elect 
a president, a vice-president, and a secretary for all 
the clubs of that particular community which are 
called its ^'Boys Agricultural Club.'' The County 
Agent is the instructor of these on their plots and 
the cooperation of the County Superintendent and 
teachers is sought by him. 

There are altogether 40 different kinds of clubs 
averaging about 9 projects to a state, but only from 
3 to 9 are undertaken in any one state. Each ac- 
tivity is specially suited to the district in question, 
the principal clubs being Corn Clubs, Potato Clubs, 
Garden Clubs, Canning Clubs, Sugar-beet Clubs, 
Poultry Clubs, Pig Clubs, and Baby-beef Clubs. 

Corn Clubs were the first to be organized, because 
corn is a plant that can be profitably produced in 
most sections of the United States. The boys 
throughout the country have common knowledge of 



142 Use Tour Government 

corn and the lessons seem easy, and also corn yields 
more food to the acre in most sections of the United 
States, when properly handled, than any other grain 
group. 

Cotton is a standard crop in the South and in 
any system of diversified farming must occupy an 
important place. Therefore, Cotton Clubs have 
been organized for the purpose of teaching boys 
how to make the greatest yield at the lowest cost. 

One of the most popular clubs started in almost 
every county for boys and girls, old and young, are 
the Poultry Clubs. In connection with these special 
bulletins are issued each month entitled **What to 
do with your poultry^' : 

January . . How to set a hen and care for her. 
February . . Feeding and care of chicks. 
March .... How to build a brood coop. 
April (a) Lice and mites on poultry. 

(b) Produce the infertile egg. 

(c) Packing eggs in water glass. 

May Care of growing chicks during warm weather. 

June Marketing old stock and broilers. 

July Capons and caponizing. 

August .... Preparing birds for the show. 

September . Common poultry diseases. 

October . . . Feeding and housing winter layers. 

November . Tray nests for layers. 

December . Selection and care of breeding stock. 

These are followed by bulletins discussing the 
marketing and canning of poultry which have not 
been sold. 

The various clubs are also encouraged to hold 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 143 

exhibitions at fairs and to enter into competition 
with other clubs with regard to their produce. Mer- 
chants and other public-spirited citizens are invar- 
iably ready to raise funds for prizes to the success- 
ful contestant. The giving of money prizes has 
been discouraged as much as possible, pins and 
badges having been found ample incentive for com- 
petition. 

(b) Office of Experiment Stations 

The Experiment Stations are operated under the 
direction of the agricultural colleges of every state 
States ^^^ consists of a corps of experts in 

Relations every kind of work connected with agri- 
Service, culture and farming in all its aspects. 
Their studies are both scientific and practical and 
are made in the laboratory and in the stables and 
fields adjoining the colleges. 

The Office of Experiment Stations of the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture at Washington has general 
supervision over the experiment stations in the 
various states as far as the Federal work is con- 
cerned. Under the provision of the Hatch and 
Adams Act the Federal Government contributes an- 
nually $30,000 to each of the 48 states for the in- 
vestigation of agriculture. 

The publishing of the Experiment Station Eec- 
ord forms an important part of the work of this 
Division. It appears each month and gives detailed 



144 Use Your Government 

reports of all the experiments in agriculture con- 
ducted in the United States and abroad. It is ar- 
ranged topically, so that those interested can easily 
keep posted as to experiments being tried out under 
various headings all over the world. These ab- 
stracts are taken from reports of the Experiment 
Stations throughout the country, abroad, and from 
other scientific institutions. The bringing together 
of these in one compact volume makes it easy for 
the student and farmer and investigator to obtain 
the ideas of the entire world on any agricultural 
subject, and also to learn the progress that has been 
made in experiments relating to any particular sub- 
ject. In this way much duplication of such investi- 
gating work is spared and there become available 
throughout the country the conclusions of the best 
authorities on agriculture. 

Should the farmer not read the Experiment Eec- 
ord himself he still gets the benefit of the informa- 
tion contained therein through the officers of the 
Experiment Station Service and the Demonstration 
Agents. 

(c) Farmers^ Institutes and Movable Schools 

States Other methods of giving practical in- 

Relations struction to the farmers are through 
Service. ^j^^ Farmers' Institutes and Movable 
Schools which are described below. • 
The Farmers' Institutes are meetings of farmers 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 145 

at which addresses by several persons are given 
free on various agricultural or home economics sub- 
jects of interest to any particular community. The 
speakers come from the staffs of the Agricultural 
Experiment Stations or Colleges or are farmers 
capable of telling others of their success in certain 
branches of farming. 

The Farmers ' Institutes give instruction to about 
3,000,000 farmers each year. 

In the plan for movable schools the colleges send 
their men or women teachers over the state to in- 
struct in classes. They go from place to place, re- 
maining in each locality about a week, carrying 
equipment for the purpose of instruction. 

Prior to the organization of the County Agents' 
work the Farmers' Institutes were the only means 
available of taking over to the farmers personally 
the knowledge gathered at the college of agriculture 
and the experiences of the best farmers in the com- 
munity. As the work of the County Agents spreads, 
the movable school becomes a valuable adjunct to 
him in getting the best information from the col- 
leges direct to the people. 

(d) Office of Information, Office of Publications 

and Library 

Office of ^^^ widest possible circulation for 

Informa- the discoveries and recommendations of 
tion. the scientists, specialists, and field work- 



146 Use Your Government 

ers of the Department of Agriculture is given by its 
Office of Information. 

This supplies the public press, the small county 
weeklies, the farmers' and technical papers with 
facts taken from publications, and also from oral 
statements of representatives of the Department in 
a form convenient for publication and designed to 
attract the attention of the reader and lead to the 
adoption of the methods recommended. 

It also keeps the public informed through the 
press as to regulatory and other matters of which 
the public needs to know. 

A weekly news letter is issued by this Office. 
Its circulation, however, is limited to the staff and 
volunteer workers of the Department, to editors, and 
other bodies representing government agencies or 
states. 

Sometimes a query addressed to the Department 
of Agriculture and the correspondence resulting 
therefrom will bring up points of vital interest. 
The Office of Information will convey such data to 
the public at large through the press or in any other 
manner it may consider suitable. 

Postal Bulletins, which are informal circulars got- 
ten out to assist field agents or other officers of 
the Department, are prepared by this Office. 

The Division of Publications, of the Department 
of Agriculture, is concerned with the publication and 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 147 

Offices of printing of bulletins, pamphlets, circu- 
Publica- lars and posters issued by the Depart- 
tions. ment. During the last fiscal year there 

were issued to the public at large fifty-five million 
copies of printed material of different kinds. 

Under the direction of the Motion Picture Com- 
mittee, the Office of Publications also makes moving 
pictures, to be used by the Demonstration Agents 
(see page 125). 

The method of sending out publications is as fol- 
lows: 

(1) The Division keeps a very complete list of 
those interested in certain publications to whom they 
are sent immediately on being issued. 

(2) A monthly list of publications is printed, so 
that those desiring any particular one may apply 
for same. 

(3) Four-fifths of the popular bulletins issued 
by the various sub-divisions of the Department of 
Agriculture go to members of Congress for distri- 
bution, the remaining fifth being for general distri- 
bution. 

(4) The Demonstration Agents (see page 125) 
distribute a very large number of the bulletins, etc. 
Library of '^^^ Library of the Department of 
Agricul- Agriculture comprises approximately 
ture. 140,000 books and pamphlets and re- 
ceives currently over 2,300 periodicals. It containa 
the largest collection of literature in this country on 



148 Use Your Government 

agriculture and the related sciences and is in the 
foremost rank of the agricultural libraries of the 
world. Although intended primarily for the use 
of the Department, it may in addition be considered 
the national agricultural library, and as such it at- 
tempts to place its collections at the service of all 
who are engaged in agricultural research. 

The influence of the Library on the general wel- 
fare of the farming community may at first glance 
seem very slight, yet on more careful investigation 
it will become evident that this influence, although 
indirect, is greater than might be supposed. It is, 
of course, impossible for many of the farmers of the 
country to come to Washington to consult the Li- 
brary, but it is possible for the information stored 
in the Library to reach the farmer in an indirect 
manner. 

In the preparation of the publications of the De- 
partment (see page 147), the collections of the Li- 
brary assist by giving printed opinions and results 
of the experience of past investigators all over the 
world. 

Through its relation with the agricultural Experi- 
ment Stations and Colleges, the Library is attempt- 
ing to be of assistance to those workers in agricul- 
tural science who are located near the farmer and 
are thus familiar with his interests. 

But the Library is especially useful indirectly to 
the agricultural community through the assistance 



Disseminating Information to Farmers 149 

rendered to the scientific workers in tlie Department 
in connection with their researches. 

Printed cards for the publications of the Depart- 
ment are prepared by the Library and can be ob- 
tained at small cost from the Library of Congress. 



PAET II 
THE WOULD-BE SETTLER 



CHAPTER I.— THE DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC 

LANDS 

General The General Land Office has full charge 
Land of the survey and disposition of the pub- 

Office. i[q lands and the administration of the 

public land laws. 

Ever since 1862 the controlling principle of prac- 
tically all the laws passed by Congress with regard 
to the handling of public lands has been for their 
development, improvement, greater production and 
for the interest of self-owned farm homes. Prior to 
that time, the public lands had existed largely for 
the main purpose of securing money for the support 
of the Government. It became apparent that this 
was not an enlightened policy, for it induced more 
to speculation and monopoly than to home-building 
and development. An indication of this tendency is 
found in the first preemption law of 1841, but the 
real home-building policy did not commence until 
the enactment of the first homestead law in 1862, the 
essential features of which obtain to this day. Un- 
der this law more than any other has the great Mis- 
sissippi Valley, Middle West and West been built up. 

Briefly, the Homestead Law gave the land free to 

153 



154 Use Tour Government 

the man who would make his home on it and develop 
and improve same. A little later the mining law 
gave the land for the mere staking thereof to the 
man who made a discovery of mineral. A little later 
the coal land laws followed much the same policy. 
The desert-land laws gave the land at a nominal 
price to the man who would reclaim the land and 
irrigate and cultivate it. 

To provide means of transportation to open up 
the new country, Congress made immense land 
grants of millions of acres to induce the construc- 
tion of railroads and wagon roads. To aid the new 
states in laying a sure foundation for education, 
each was given a large grant of public lands, the 
proceeds of which were to be used for educational 
purposes; this laid the basis for the large interest- 
bearing school funds possessed by nearly all the 
states. 

Congress gave the swamp lands to the states in 
which they were situated on condition that such 
lands should be reclaimed from their swampy con- 
dition and made cultivable, and likewise gave lands 
to the arid states on condition that the lands be ir- 
rigated. Thus is seen the principle of development 
running through all of these laws. Congress early 
saw that production, population, homes, cities and 
railroads were to be preferred to the comparatively 
small amount of money that might be secured for 
the Government if that were made the principal end 



The Disposition of Public Lands 155 

in view. The Office has therefore developed from a 
mere selling agency into an administrative and ju- 
dical bureau of the Government. 

At the present time the organization of the Gen- 
eral Land Office consists of the Washington Office, 
99 local land offices, situated principally in the West- 
ern states, 13 Surveyors General, the Field Survey- 
ing Organization, and the Field Service Organiza- 
tion. Each of these branches has its special func- 
tions to perform, but the work of all branches is cor- 
related. 

The main office at Washington is the supervising 
clearing house over the other branches. The local 
land offices are the places where the public secures 
information and makes entries and proofs on public 
lands ; each has a Eegister and Eeceiver, the former 
acting in an administrative and judicial capacity, 
and the latter in a fiscal capacity. The Field Sur- 
veying Organization performs the field work of sur- 
veying the public lands. Since 1910 this has all been 
done directly by government employees rather than 
by contract as formerly, the results being more sat- 
isfactory. The offices of Surveyors General pre- 
pare instructions for field surveys and plats and 
field notes of surveys that have been made, for the 
purpose of a permanent record. The Field Service 
Organization is an investigating force, the principal 
business of which is to investigate frauds and ascer- 
tain if the law has been complied with, as weU as ta 



156 Use Your Government 

make numerous examinations for purposes of ap- 
praisal and classification. 

The fiscal year ending June 30, 1917, shows that 
during that year more than one hundred and twen- 
ty-three thousand of original selections and entries 
of public lands were made; more than fifty-four 
thousand patents were issued, conveying an area of 
11,300,000 acres; the survey of more than ten mil- 
lion acres approved and accepted, and some one 
hundred and fifteen thousand acres restored to the 
public domain after investigation in the field, be- 
sides the determination of some six thousand con- 
tests and proceedings for the settlement and dispo- 
sition of various forms of disputed claims to the 
public lands. 

In this connection it may be stated that, subject 
to the supervisory authority of the Secretary of the 
Interior, the General Land Office is the court in 
which is settled and determined all controversies be- 
tween rival claimants to the public lands. Thus the 
General Land Office performs a semi-judicial func- 
tion probably larger in point of number of cases and 
values involved than any court in the country. Dur- 
ing more recent years this office has assumed larger 
duties in what might be termed an administrative 
capacity, such as preservation and protection of the 
public lands and the making and supervising of 
leases and permits of various kinds. 



The Disposition of Public Lands 157 

As to the particular opportunities offered by the 
public-land laws as they exist to-day: 

First, as to the homestead law, a person may file 
on a homestead of 160 acres of ordinary land, of 
320 acres of so-called dry-farming land, and of 640 
acres of grazing land. There are numerous provis- 
ions in the law for different forms of so-called ad- 
ditional entries for those who have less than the 
maximum area of the different classes of land. Un- 
der all of these laws the homesteader is required to 
place a habitable house on the land and to make his 
home thereon to the exclusion of a home elsewhere, 
and actually live on the land not less than seven 
months out of each year for a period of three years. 
He is also required to cultivate not less than one- 
eighth of the land, except on the stock-raising home- 
stead, where he is required to make certain improve- 
ments in lieu of cultivation. Having done these 
things, the homesteader makes his proper proof 
thereof and gets title to the land without cost or 
expense except for certain fees and commissions for 
handling the business. Only citizens of the United 
States who are over 21 years of age or are heads of 
families are entitled to this privilege and no person 
is entitled to more than one homestead. 

Still another form of homestead is found in the 
so-called reclamation homestead (see page 161), 
which is a homestead made within the area of a 
government irrigation project, in which case the 



158 Use Your Government 

homesteader is permitted to take an area not greater 
than the ^^farm unit'^ fixed for the project, and to 
pay to the Government the cost of a water right and 
for the maintenance of the irrigation system, the 
main charge heing spread over a period of twenty 
years, without interest. 

Another modification of the homestead is the so- 
called forest homestead, where an entry is allowed 
on a limited area, chiefly valuable for agricultural 
purposes, within the confines of a national forest. 

Under the desert-land laws a citizen of the United 
States may enter 320 acres; he pays twenty-five 
cents an acre down on making his entry and $1.00 
per acre additional when he makes final proof four 
years later. In the meantime he must spend not less 
than $1.00 per acre per year on the land looking to 
its reclamation. He must procure a sufficient water 
supply for the permanent reclamation of all the ir- 
rigable portions thereof and must have cultivated at 
least one-eighth of the land by irrigation before he 
can procure title. No residence on the land is re- 
quired. Under a modification of this law, known as 
the Carey Act, lands are granted to arid states on 
condition that the states shall procure the reclama- 
tion of the lands and dispose of same to actual set- 
tlers, not more than 160 acres to each. Idaho, 
Wyoming and Montana have accomplished the lar- 
gest and most satisfactory results under this form of 
procedure. 



The Disposition of Public Lands 159 

The mining laws have not changed much since the 
enactment of the general mining code of 1872. Un- 
der these laws title has its inception in discovery. 
A man who discovers a lode mine may locate a claim 
of approximately 20 acres on each discovery made. 
To retain this claim he must perform at least $100 
worth of work thereon each year. When he has 
performed $500 worth of work on a claim he may 
receive patent on the payment of $5.00 per acre. 
Under the placer mining laws, which now include 
petroleum, a person may locate 20 acres, or an as- 
sociation of persons not exceeding eight may lo- 
cate an association claim of not more than 20 acres 
for each person in the association. On the perform- 
ance of $500 worth of work and improvements on 
the claim, patent may be granted on the payment of 
$2.50 per acre. 

Under the coal land laws, a person may file on 
160 acres and may receive patent on payment of the 
appraised value. Likewise a person may file on 160 
acres of timber land on the payment of the appraised 
value thereof. The more valuable timber lands have 
been placed in forest reserves, the timber being sold 
outright from time to time as the market requires. 
Experience has demonstrated that the existing laws 
with respect to coal, oil, gas, potash, phosphates and 
nitrates no longer meet the demands of the indus- 
tries based on these resources, and Congress has 
had under serious consideration radical changes in 



160 Use Your Government 

the laws relating to tliQse minerals and has already 
passed a comprehensive coal leasing law for Alaska, 
and a law for leasing potash lands in the states. The 
impracticability of existing oil land laws is the basic 
cause of the recent unfortunate controversy over 
our public oil lands and production. 

There are many other public land laws, but those 
above touched upon are by far the most important 
to the country at large. 

The Information Division of the Department of 
Labor has ascertained the lands still available for 
Department the ^^ would-be settler'' all over the 
of Labor. United States. This Division has a 
complete record of all lands either to be had free 
or for sale. It is thus able to place men who seek 
land in touch with the parties who have the same 
at their disposal. 




Roosevelt Dam, Arizona. Principal engineering feature of the Salt 
River Valley where 200,000 acres have been reclaimed through the 
Reclamation Service. 




A group of small farms reclaimed from desert by the Reclamation 

Service. 



CHAPTEE II.— lEEIGATION OF AEID DIS- 
TEICTS AT ACTUAL COST 

The Eeclamation Service is engaged in making the 
arid lands of the West fit for cultivation by means 
Reclama- ^^ irrigation, the lands then being 
tion thrown open for entry to applicants at 

Service. ^j^q actual cost of construction per acre. 
The patents for these lands are granted by the Gen- 
eral Land Office. (See page 153.) 

The Government is spending millions of dollars 
in furnishing an adequate water supply for these 
regions. Its engineering works are stupendous in 
character and include several of the largest storage 
dams in the world,^ as well as thousands of miles of 
great canals. Since its creation in 1902, the bureau 
has reclaimed 1,250,000 acres of desert, has estab- 
lished 30,000 families in homes of their own, the an- 
nual harvests from these reclaimed lands having a 
value of nearly $50,000,000. 

The fund provided for this work is formed from 
fees derived from the disposal of public lands in the 
16 states benefited, and as the settlers repay the cost 
the receipts are returned to the fund for other work. 
The investment at present exceeds $120,000,000. 

161 



162 Use Your Government 

Conditions for the taking over of irrigated lands 
are that the applicant must be a citizen of the United 
States, must not have a farm elsewhere, must live on 
his ground for a period of three years, and must 
pay the Government the cost of the irrigation sys- 
tem on his farm in instalments covering a period of 
20 years without interest. 

The prices differ, but they average $50 per acre, 
becoming the actual property of the settler with a 
perpetual water right. The (xovernment merely 
provides the land and water system, the farmer 
needing sufficient capital to pay for his house, stock, 
etc. It must be borne in mind that directly he be- 
gins to plant his crop his acres usually rapidly in- 
crease in value from year to year. And for these 
areas he has only paid the Government a small ad- 
vance on the cost of irrigation. 

It is interesting to note that the railways have in 
each case connected up with these Government com- 
munities, generally in advance of the settlers in or- 
der to provide the necessary transportation facili- 
ties in anticipation of the large quantity of tonnage 
to follow. 

In instances where the Government has been re- 
quested so to do, it has provided lands for consoli- 
dated schools and community center sites for clubs, 
etc., also giving the water supply needed for these, 
which is of great service. 

Instead of each district having its own school in 



Irrigation of Arid Districts at Cost IQB 

the one teacher system, the Government is encour- 
aging the building of one large school to provide a 
centralized graded school system according to con- 
ditions existing in the particular state. The chil- 
dren are then to be brought to the schools by vans, 
autos, trolley lines, or other means of transporta- 
tion, also kept up on a community basis. 

In settlements where the Government has devel- 
oped electric power for its own projects, the sur- 
plus power is sold to the settlers at cost. In some 
of these far-away communities the houses are lit 
with electricity, even the cooking, churning, sewing 
machines, etc., being worked by this power. Stores 
and homes are even frequently heated by electricity. 

The Eeclamation Service receives the cooperation 
of the Department of Agriculture and the State Ag- 
Bureau of ricultural Colleges with regard to as- 
Plant sistance given farmers on these irrigat- 

Industry. ^^ lands. For the last 15 years it has 
been carrying on very careful experiments in meth- 
ods of farming irrigated areas, and has now pub- 
lished a general basis for agricultural work for the 
settlers who very often have no knowledge or ex- 
perience whatsoever of the practical work that will 
be required of them. 

A demonstration farm, conducted by experts, is 
maintained on almost every project, many of the 
farmers being so untrained that practical demon- 
stration is needed in order that no time should be 



164 Use Your Government 

lost if the settlers ' small capital is to be saved. The 
method of working with a farmer was very similar 
to the work done by the Demonstration Agents. 
(See page 125.) 



CHAPTER III.— THE FOEEST SERVICE 
WORK FOR THE SETTLER 

Among the resources of the National Forests are 
minerals. Lands in the National Forests may be 
Forest prospected upon and mined as freely as 

Service. though they were on the open public 
lands and a prospector can stake a claim wherever 
he finds evidence of valuable minerals. 

The conditions for the taking up of a mining claim 
are those which prevail under the *^ Mining Laws" 
administered by the General Land Office. (See 
page 154.) 

The only restriction is that the claims must be 
bona fide ones and not taken up for the purpose of 
acquiring valuable timber or a town or power site, 
or to monopolize the water supply on stock range. 
Prospectors may obtain a certain amount of Na- 
tional Forest timber free of charge, to be used in de- 
veloping their claims. More than 426 mineral claims 
were patented within the National Forests during 
the year 1917. 

Land more valuable for agriculture than for tim- 
ber is excluded from the National Forests so far as 
is possible when the boundaries are drawn. Small 
tracts of land which cannot be thus excluded are 

165 



166 Use Your Government 

open for settlement under tlie Forest Homestead 
Act. (See page 157.) The chances offered the 
prospective settler in the immediate vicinity of 
the forest are far better than in the forests them- 
selves. 

Homestead settlers may obtain National Forest 
timber for their own use at the actual cost of mak- 
ing the sales, no charges being made for the timber 
itself. 

The Forest Service helps the settler by building 
trails, roads, and bridges, constructing telephone 
lines, by protecting the forests from fire (see page 
46), and other ways. 

All the benefits that the Forest Service offers the 
farmer would also apply to the settler. (See page 
45.) 



CHAPTER IV.— THE WORK OF THE GEO^ 
LOGICAL SURVEY 

Geological The work of the Geological Survey is 
Service. of the greatest importance to the set- 
tler in every phase of his work and choice of land. 
This subject is dealt with in detail (see page 215). 



167 



PARTm 
THE MAN IN BUSINESS 



CHAPTER I.— GENERAL ASSISTANCE AND 
INFORMATION GIVEN TO THOSE TRANS- 
ACTING BUSINESS AT HOME AND 
ABROAD 

-^ The Bureau of Foreign and Domestic 

Bureau of Commerce is charged by law with, the 
Foreign and duty of developing the various manu- 
Domestic f acturing industries of the United States 
and markets for their products at home 
and abroad by gathering and publishing useful in- 
formation or by any other available methods. 

The Bureau is, therefore, in the first instance, a 
clearing house for commercial information of all 
kinds and has a well-organized and efficient system 
for its collection and distribution. 

The work of the Bureau can be divided as fol- 
lows: 

''Trade Opportunity'' Service. The Bureau fur- 
nishes American manufacturers and exporters defi- 
nite information as to specific opportunities to seU 
their goods in foreign markets and places them in 
touch with firms and individuals in other countries 
who are in a position to act as agents or representa- 
tives in their districts. Announcements of such op- 

171 



172 Use Your Government 

portunities are publislied in the daily ** Commerce 
Eeports." (See page 177.) The names and ad- 
dresses of foreign concerns desiring goods of agen- 
cies are not given in these announcements, but are 
furnished to bona fide American firms upon appli- 
cation to the Bureau at Washington, or to any of 
its district or cooperative offices. 

In applying for such names and addresses the in- 
quirer need only refer to the number of the an- 
nouncement as published in ^* Commerce Reports.'' 

A separate application on the firm's letterhead 
should be made for each '^ Opportunity" desired. 
The following may be considered typical of the 
*' Opportunities " published in ** Commerce Re- 
ports ' ' : 

359709. — A man in New Zealand is in the mar- 
ket for trotting goods, such as hobbles, pads, 
gaiters, etc. Quotations should be made F.O.B. 
steamer, port of shipment. Cash will be paid 
with order. 

The American manufacturer of trotting goods 
who thinks it worth while to make such a connection 
will, upon seeing the notice in ^^ Commerce Re- 
ports," write to the Bureau on his business letter- 
head asking to be furnished the name and address. 
If the Bureau sees no reason for withholding the 
information, it sends it forward at once. 

Following is an *^ Opportunity" to establish a 
business connection in Brazil: 



Information Given to the Business Man 173 

35613. — An Agency is desired by a firm in 
Brazil for the sale of industrial chemicals, caus- 
tic soda, soda ash, acetic acid suitable for the 
textile and soap industries, and all kinds of 
dyes suitable for cotton textile industry. All 
business is desired on a commission basis. Cash 
' will be paid. Shipments are preferred through 
some reputable export house which understands 
documentation for Brazil. Correspondence may 
be in English. Eeference. 

When the confidential information furnished re- 
garding an '^ Opportunity' ' for sales in foreign 
countries is too detailed to be given in a *^ Trade 
Opportunity'' announcement, it is embodied in a 
confidential bulletin or circular, which is sent to 
firms that are listed in the trade index files main- 
tained by the Bureau in its district and in cooperat- 
ive offices. 

Samples, specifications, etc., that accompany re- 
ports from Consular officers, Special Agents, and 
Conunercial Attaches are sent to the district and co- 
operative offices for limited periods, where they can 
be inspected by those interested. 

The information upon which the *^ Trade Oppor- 
tunity" service is based is collected and forwarded 
to the Bureau by mail or cable by Consular officers, 
Special Agents, and Commercial Attaches. 

Sources of Foreign Trade Facts. The Bureau 
has three principal sources from which it obtains 
trade information from foreign countries. 



174 Use Your Government 

First, Consular Service. (See page 184.) The 
United States Government maintains abroad nearly 
three hundred Consular offices, and in addition many 
agencies. These are all under the direction of the 
State Department, but the commercial information 
gathered through the * Afield force" is by law turned 
over to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Com- 
merce for distribution as it sees fit. The commercial 
information from this source includes annual re- 
views of commerce, special reports on timely and im- 
portant subjects called for by the Bureau, lists of 
importers, notices of bids for contract work, re- 
quests of merchants to be placed in communication 
with American exporters, etc. 

Second, Special Agents. Most of these men are 
taken from active work in some particular industry 
or some special branch of commerce and are experts 
in their respective lines. They are assigned to cer- 
tain specified districts such as the Far East or South 
America, and are required to report on the require- 
ments of the markets for the lines that they are in- 
vestigating, including the methods of merchandising 
and the character of the competition which may be 
expected. Local methods of manufacture are also 
studied. The scope of such investigations has re- 
cently been broadened to include studies of economic 
and financial conditions. Special Agents are also 
known as Commercial Agents, or Trade Commis- 
sioners. 



Information Given to the Business Man 175 

Third, Commercial Attaches. While stationed at 
one post, like the Consular officer, the Commercial 
Attache is free to travel in the field to which he is 
assigned. He has but one function, the facilitation 
of commerce between the United States and the 
countries which are included in his district. Un- 
like the Consular officer, he is free from such routine 
work as invoicing exports to the United States and 
looking after the wants of fellow-countrymen. If 
necessary, he can drop everything else and devote 
his entire attention to some one important trade de- 
velopment. He has been termed a ^Hrade diplo- 
mat." 

Commercial Attaches are stationed at London, 
Paris, Berlin (normally), Petrograd, Eio de Janeiro, 
Buenos Aires, Lima, Peking, Tokyo, and Melbourne. 

In addition to writing reports to be published and 
distributed by the Bureau, the Consular officers. 
Special Agents, and Commercial Attaches return to 
the United States at convenient intervals and visit 
the principal manufacturing and commercial cen- 
ters, where they address commercial organizations 
and give personal interviews to manufacturers and 
exporters. These itineraries are arranged by the 
Bureau at Washington, but the details of arranging 
for addresses and interviews are worked out by the 
District and Cooperative offices, whose business it 
is to keep in close personal touch with the business 
interests in their communities. 



176 Use Your Government 

Collection of Samples, The samples purcliased 
by the Consuls, Agents, and Attaches are first ex- 
hibited in the principal manufacturing centers and 
then housed permanently in what is known as the 
^'Sample Eoom'* at the New York Customs House. 
These samples consist for the most part of articles 
that are successfully sold in foreign markets. For 
example, a special Agent who has studied the cotton 
goods markets in all parts of the world has for- 
warded samples of the goods in demand in each 
market, with data as to cost, wholesale and retail 
prices, measurements, country of origin, etc. In the 
course of a recent investigation of the world's hard- 
ware markets, conducted by the Commercial At- 
tache, samples of hardware were purchased in all 
countries and with complete data now form a part 
of the permanent exhibit. Such samples are con- 
sulted by manufacturers and exporters who wish to 
estimate the character of the competition they have 
to meet in new markets and the tastes of the con- 
sumers. 

The Bureau also receives numerous official and 
other publications from foreign countries which are 
utilized in answering requests for information. It 
also avails itself of trade journals published in this 
country and the assistance of commercial organiza- 
tions. 

Publications. Information collected by the Bu- 
reau is distributed chiefly through its publications, 







OS 



® o 

So 



o fl 
02 o 

O 



^ o 

^^ 
;h 

S =^ 

Is 

o 

CO 

© 

'ft 

g 

02 



Information Given to the Business Man 177 

which include a daily trade newspaper, monthly, 
quarterly, annual statistical publications, and spe- 
cial bulletins. 

The daily trade newspaper is called Commerce 
Reports. It contains articles submitted by the 
Consular officers, Special Agents, and Conmiercial 
Attaches, and trade information from other sources. 
At least a page each day is devoted to the *^ Trade 
Opportunity^' service. (See page 171.) It is the 
organ through which current information on foreign 
trade matters is distributed to American business 
men. It is sold by the Superintendent of Docu- 
ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, for 
$2.50 per year. (Subscriptions may also be received 
at the District and Cooperative offices.) The annual 
reports of Consular officers formerly published in 
this daily journal now are issued as Supplements to 
it and are mailed to all subscribers. 

A publication known as Monthly Summary of 
Foreign Commerce of the United States gives the 
imports and exports of the United States by coun- 
tries of origin and destination, articles, quantities, 
and values for the month of issue and for the ac- 
cumulated period of the year ending with the month 
of issue, with comparative figures for corresponding 
periods in the two preceding years. It is sold by 
the Superintendent of Documents for 15 cents t)er 
copy, or $1.50 per year. 

Imports Entered for Consumption, which is is- 



178 Use Your Government 

sued quarterly, gives a detailed statement of the 
quantity and value of imports entered for consump- 
tion into the United States, the rates of duty and 
the amount of duty collected. It is sold by the Su- 
perintendent of Documents for 75 cents a year; 
single copies 15 cents to 25 cents. 

*^ Commerce and Navigation" is the title of an 
annual volume of about 900 quarto pages, which 
gives detailed statistics of the foreign trade of the 
United States, stating the countries to which each 
article or class of articles was exported and from 
which each article or class of articles was imported 
during a five-year period. It is sold by the Super- 
intendent of Documents for $1. 

''Statistical Abstract of the United States'' is an 
annual volume of about 800 pages containing a con- 
densed statement of the commerce production, in- 
dustries, population, finance, currency, and wealth 
of the country, with summary statements of the 
commerce of the principal foreign countries. It is 
sold by the Superintendent of Documents for 50 
cents. 

Bulletms on Special Subjects. Special bulletins 
published by the Bureau embrace a wide range of 
subjects and range from 16 to more than 500 pages. 
Some present a survey of the entire world's mar- 
kets for certain lines of goods ; others contain an in- 
tensive study of particular fields and particular 



Information Given to the Business Man 179 

lines; still others furnish a general study of some 
country or groups of countries. 

For instance, bulletins have been issued on the 
cotton goods trade of almost every country in the 
world ; other bulletins deal with cottonseed oil, lum- 
ber, shoes and leather, machine tools, paints and var- 
nishes, motor vehicles, musical instruments, canned 
goods, etc. 

In 1911 the Bureau issued a Trade Directory of 
the World, and in 1914 and 1915 the sections of this 
World Trade Directory covering South America and 
Central America and the West Indies were revised 
and published as separate directories under the 
titles ^^ Trade Directory of South America' ' and 
^ ^ Trade Directory of Central America and the West 
Indies.'' The World Trade Directory issued in 
1911 is of course out of date and its use at this time 
is not recommended. The supply of the Latin- 
American directories is also exhausted. Copies of 
these directories are, however, available for exami- 
nation at the Bureau's District and Cooperative of- 
fices and at the principal commercial organizations 
in the United States. 

In transmitting reports on markets for specified 
commodities in foreign countries, American Consu- 
lar officers and the Bureau's traveling representa- 
tives frequently accompany these reports with lists 
of importers and dealers in the respective lines un- 
der discussion. These lists are not published in the 



180 Use Your Government 

^* Commerce Eeports'' but are referred to by number 
at the close of the article, with the suggestion thai 
interested firms and individuals may obtain the list 
on application by number to the Bureau or any of 
its District or Cooperative offices. The Bureau has 
naturally accumulated in this way quite a collection 
of possible purchasers of American goods in foreign 
countries. These accumulated lists are classified 
and are available on request. 

Statistical Division, The Statistical Division of 
the Bureau is the original source of statistics of 
American trade with foreign countries. Export sta- 
tistics are compiled from the declaration required 
from exporters by the Customs Division of the 
Treasury Department and the import statistics are 
based upon invoices that are received at the Cus- 
toms Houses as a part of the routine of collecting the 
customs on imports. Returns from all the Customs 
Houses are received at Washington and the various 
compilations based on them are published periodi- 
cally (see statistical publications described on page 
178). 

Division of Foreign Tariffs, This Division fur- 
nishes the American exporter with information as to 
customs and other entrance requirements imposed 
by foreign countries. It also specializes on foreign 
patent and trade-mark legislation, and recently has 
taken steps to protect American holders ' trade- 
marks against infringement in other countries. For 



Information Given to the Business Man 181 

instance, in some countries tlie ownership of a trade- 
mark is based on priority of registration and not of 
use, as is the case in the United States, so that a per- 
son who registers the mark first has the right to 
keep the rightful owner from importing into the 
country goods bearing the registered trade-mark. 
The Division of Foreign Tariffs now scrutinizes 
carefully all applications for trade-marks in certain 
countries. When it finds an application for the reg- 
istration of our American trade-mark or a close imi- 
tation, it notifies the American owner of the mark, 
explains to him the main features of the trade-mark 
laws in the country in question, and urges him to 
protest the registration. 

The Division obtains information from the Con- 
suls, Agents and Commercial Attaches and from 
foreign official journals, newspapers, and other pub- 
lications. 

Mediation in Commercial Disputes, Through the 
Consuls, Special Agents, and Commercial Attaches 
abroad and its district offices at home the Bureau is 
able to act as mediator in many disputes arising be- 
tween the foreign importer and the American ex- 
porter. It often happens that disputes of this kind 
lead to ill feeling, which affects not only the par- 
ticular house against which the grievance is held, 
but also American exporters in general. Arbitra- 
tion disposes of the dispute without necessarily re- 
moving the ill feeling. When one of the Bureau's 



182 Use Your Government 

representatives abroad discovers dissatisfaction he 
gets the facts in the case and reports to the Bureau 
in Washington, which then directs the District or Co- 
operative office in the exporter's district to take up 
the matter personally with the American firm. The 
Bureau does not take sides in such cases, but has at 
heart only the best interests of American business. 
Its representatives assume no legal responsibility or 
attributes. 

Latm-American Division (see also Pan Ameri- 
can Union, page 186). Because of the unusual in- 
terest shown in recent years in the markets of South 
America, Central America and the West Indies, the 
Bureau maintains a Latin-American Division, in 
which is concentrated the information concerning 
such markets. This Division, in addition to receiv- 
ing information from the usual sources, subscribes 
to many Latin-American newspapers, magazines, 
and official journals. It answers all inquiries from 
American business men concerning commercial and 
industrial conditions in the Spanish-speaking re- 
publics. 

A Far-Eastern Division, similar in scope to the 
Latin- American Division, has recently been organ- 
ized. 

Branch Offices. The main office of the Bureau is 
in Washington, but it has District Offices in New 
York, Chicago, New Orleans, San Francisco, Seat- 
tle, Boston, and St. Louis, and Cooperative Offices 



Information Griven to the Business Man 183 

in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, 
Chattanooga, Portland (Oregon), and Dayton, 
through which it disseminates trade information and 
keeps in touch with the commercial interests of the 
country. 

The District Offices are maintained entirely at the 
Bureau's expense, but the Cooperative Offices are 
really foreign trade departments of local commer- 
cial organizations, working in cooperation with the 
Bureau. The official in charge of such offices is paid 
by the local organization, but his appointment must 
be approved by the Bureau. 

These branch offices were established to expedite 
the distribution of commercial information, to as- 
certain the needs of the business men of the coun- 
try, and to establish closer cooperation between the 
Government and private agencies interested in the 
extension of foreign trade. 

Each office has on file confidential information re- 
garding ^^ Trade Opportunities," lists of importers 
in foreign countries, trade directories, etc. 

Each District Office receives specifications, sam- 
ples, exhibits, etc., for a limited time and these may 
be inspected by interested persons. 

Each office, as has already been mentioned, ar- 
ranges conferences between exporters and returned 
Consular officers. Special Agents and Commercial 
Attaches when the latter visit District Offices during 



184 Use Your Government 

leave of absence in this country. Foreign buyers are 
encouraged to make their headquarters at the offices 
and if they so desire are introduced to American 
manufacturers. 

Each office makes a special study of the needs of 
the District in which it is located and the Bureau 
endeavors to equip each office to meet the demands 
peculiar to its field. 

Each office keeps on file all publications of the 
Bureau, as well as publications of other branches of 
the government that would be of assistance to 
American exporters. 

All questions involving the rights of American 
citizens in foreign countries and all matters involv- 
State 1^^ their interests abroad are under the 

Depart- jurisdiction of the State Department, 
^®^*' to whom they may apply for advice and 

assistance. A large part of this work is performed 
through the Consular Service. 

Consular The duties of the United States Con- 

Service, suls abroad are of a varied nature and 
may be described as follows : 

(1) They furnish to any American citizen in- 
formation concerning the commercial conditions 
throughout the country in which they are stationed, 
especially with reference to their own particular dis- 
trict. They should be in such close touch with the 
importers of that country that they are able not 
only to answer inquiries but can from time to time 



Information Given to the Business Man 185 

report on matters of business interest to the United 
States. 

The consuls not only give information m person 
to the business man but they answer in detail any 
letter that may be addressed to them concerning the 
territory to which they have been sent. They are, 
therefore, well informed concerning every angle of 
business as well as other subjects which might in- 
terest a citizen of the United States. 

(2) They report regularly concerning irade op- 
portunities. 

(3) Many of the Consuls abroad have established 
in their offices reading rooms containing American 
commercial papers and catalogues, which are of the 
greatest interest to business men. In cases where 
this may be of special importance they send such 
catalogues to individuals. 

(4) The Consular Service is charged with the 
duty of certifying to commercial invoices of all 
goods of foreign origin destined for shipment to 
this country, to the effect that the prices are cur- 
rent as given by the invoice in the market in ques- 
tion. 

(5) Should an American citizen die abroad, leav- 
ing no legal representative in the country where he 
dies, the Consul looks after the interests of Ameri- 
can heirs, pays the debts of the deceased and turns 
the proceeds to the American heirs, thus acting as a 
quasi-administrator, provided the authorities of the 



186 Use Your Government 

country in which he is stationed offer no objections. 

(6) Consuls also maintain registers wherein 
American citizens resident in their districts are re- 
corded after the question has been favorably passed 
on by the State Department. 

The Pan American Union is an international or- 
ganization with headquarters in Washington, D. C. 
Pan I^s purpose is to promote peace, friend- 

American ship, good understanding and the con- 
Union, sequent closer relation socially and com- 
mercially among the 21 republics forming the Union. 
These are United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, 
Chile, Colombia, Costa Eica, Cuba, Dominican Ee- 
public, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mex- 
ico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Salvador, 
Uruguay and Venezuela. It is controlled by a gov- 
erning board, with the Secretary of State of the Uni- 
ted States as ex-officio the presiding officer, and the 
diplomatic representatives of the above mentioned 
republics of the Western Hemisphere. Its execu- 
tive officers, who are elected by the governing board, 
are a Director and an Assistant Director, who are 
directly responsible to this board for the active 
work of a staff of editors, statisticians, trade ex- 
perts, translators, librarians, compilers, clerks and 
assistants employed to carry out the purposes of the 
organization. 

Expenses of maintenance are borne by the coun- 
tries of the Union, each country being assessed its 



Information Given to the Business Man 187 

quota according to its population, the United States, 
therefore, paying the largest share. The work of 
the Union ma^ be described, generally speaking, as 
follows : 

It acts as a general bureau of information for all 
the countries of the Union, its average mail handled 
each day, including letters, pamplilets, telegrams, 
packages, etc., being about 1,000 a day. 

As the Union by no means exists solely for the 
promotion of commerce between the Eepublics, the 
inquiries encouraged and answered concern educa- 
tion, art and all matters of general interest. 

The Union maintains a special service for manu- 
facturers, business men and others intending a visit 
to South America, in order to give expert advice con- 
cerning rates of travel, routes and conditions of 
trade in the various South American countries. 

An extensive library has been collected to assist 
in supplying the desired information. This library 
contains over 40,000 volumes on American subjects, 
over 1,500 maps and a collection of over 20,000 pho- 
tographs, depicting different phases of activity of 
the people in Latin- America and the United States. 

In the reading room of the Pan American Build- 
ing are to be found the daily papers of the larger 
cities of South America and the Island Eepublics 
of the West Indies and a large number of maga- 
zines in Spanish, Portuguese and French. 

The information collected by the Union is distrib- 



188 Use Tour Government 

uted through its publications and through its service 
to the newspapers and periodicals of the country 
forming the Union. 

The most important of these publications may be 
said to be its monthly illustrated magazine known 
as the Bulletin of the Pan American Union. This 
publication is printed in four different language edi- 
tions, i. e. English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. 
These different editions are not merely translations 
of identical contents, but each edition is specially 
adapted to its circulation. Matters that have no 
particular value in Spanish-speaking countries or 
in Brazil may be of great interest in the United 
States, so that frequently articles are written for 
the English edition which are not given in the Span- 
ish, Portuguese or French editions. Commercial 
usages, simple geographical data, etc., relating to 
the countries of South America are matters of com- 
mon and general knowledge in those countries, but 
are of great interest to the people of the United 
States. On the other hand, new inventions that have 
just been placed on the market of the United States 
are at once brought to the attention of English- 
speaking people in hundreds of publications of the 
United States, but may remain unknown in Latin- 
American countries for some time. The Bulletin 
publishes illustrations and descriptions of many 
such important inventions in its Spanish, Portu- 



Information Given to the Business Man 189 

guese and French editions every month, omitting 
such material from its English edition. 

However, there are many articles specially pre- 
pared for the Pan American Union by experts in 
their respective fields which are of interest to the 
people of all the countries, and these are published 
in every edition. These cover a wide field, and con- 
cern the latest feature of trade and international 
commerce, published with illustrations secured from 
original sources, descriptions of leading cities, ar- 
ticles dealing with archaeological discoveries. 

Supplementing the work of the magazine are va- 
rious other publications. Among these are a series 
of illustrated pamphlets dealing separately with 
each of the twenty Latin- American countries. These 
pamphlets give a brief historical sketch of the coun- 
try and explain briefly its political government and 
educational system ; briefly describe the climate, agri- 
cultural and mineral resources, the transportation 
facilities, chief cities and ports and recent progress 
in general, and give accurate commercial data as to 
the imports and exports. These pamphlets are dis- 
tributed free to those inquiring for them. 

Another series of pamphlets dealing with the more 
technical trade matters of the tariffs, customs laws, 
etc., of each of the countries, and are specially pre- 
pared for exporters and others interested in foreign 
trade. These tariffs and customs laws are translated 
from the official pubHcations of the respective coun- 



190 Use Your Government 

tries dealt with and are, therefore, of absolute ac- 
curacy. 

Another series of pamphlets deals with special 
products of the various American Eepublics, such 
as rubber, coffee, Paraguayan tea, tobacco, cotton, 
etc. 

The Pan American Union regularly provides 
* 'press releases" to the newspapers of the United 
States and all the American countries concerning 
any occurrence, or development of commercial, 
social or economic importance that has a news value 
not strictly political in character. These are pre- 
pared for publication in such form that they need 
not be rewritten. They are mailed in the English 
version to some 2,000 papers in the United States, in 
Spanish to over 900 of the leading papers of Spanish 
speaking countries, and in Portuguese to some 350 
papers in Brazil and Portugal, while the French 
release is sent to a more limited number of publica- 
tions in Haiti and France. The releases concern 
such matters as the exploitation of a new industry 
or the remarkable growth of an old one : the recent 
great development of the cattle industry of Brazil, 
the tea industry of Brazil and Paraguay, the cat- 
tle and sheep production of Uruguay, the nitrate 
situation in Chile, and hundreds of similar subjects 
have formed the topics of newspaper releases. 

Official reports on exports and imports of each 
of the countries of the Union are compiled by the 



Information Given to the Business Man 191 

statistical staff from original sources and are pub- 
lished annually. Laws governing colonization, min- 
ing, admission of foreigners to practise various 
professions in the several countries, and those in 
relation to patent rights, copyrights, etc., are also 
carefully compiled and kept for reference purposes. 

The Pan American Union cooperates in the con- 
ducting of all kinds of conferences relating to Pan 
American commerce and finance in connection there- 
with. It may be mentioned that it organizes, pre- 
pares the program, preserves the records and exe- 
cutes the resolutions of the great international con- 
ferences of the American Eepublics held at varying 
intervals. 

The Director-General of the Union and various 
members of the staff, when called upon, make ad- 
dresses before chambers of commerce, business 
men's organizations, etc., on subjects dealing with 
phases of Pan American relations and activities to 
arouse interest among the people of the United 
States in their sister republics. 
Tariff ^^^ United States Tariff Commission 

Commis- is a permanent and independent com- 
sion. mission of the Federal Government, 

created by Act of Congress, approved September 
the 8th, 1916. 

The Commission has no administrative, legisla- 
tive or judicial power or duty. It is an investigating 
body, and exists solely for the gathering of inf orma- 



192 Use Your Government 

tion and suggesting of recommendations, for the ben- 
efit of and at the request of either the public or Con- 
gress with regard to all questions of tariff. Up to 
the present it has been almost impossible to obtain 
complete information on contested questions of tar- 
iff, and to ascertain what were the unquestionable 
facts. 

The law provides more specifically that the Com- 
mission is to investigate and report on the admin- 
istrative and physical aspects of the customs laws, 
their effects on the industry and on the labor con- 
ditions of the country, the relations between rates 
of duty on raw materials and those on finished or 
partly finished products, the working of ad valorem 
and specific duties, the arrangement of the schedule 
and classification of articles. 

"The Commission further has authority to investi- 
gate and to make reports on the tariff relations be- 
tween the United States and foreign countries, on 
commercial treaties and economic alliances and sim- 
ilar subjects. 

It has already begun a thorough investigation of 
the reciprocity treaties and the commercial policy 
of the United States and the European countries. 
Still more, it has undertaken to inquire indepen- 
dently what are the plans and expectations of the 
various countries in this connection in regard to the 
future. 

The Commission has already begun the prepar- 



Information Given to the Business Man 193 

ation of a catalogue of tariff information, whicli will 
become a handy source of reference for informa- 
tion on the several phases of the tariff question. It 
is designed to have on hand in compact and simple 
form all available data on the growthj development 
and location of industries affected by the tariff, on 
the extent of domestic production, imports, and the 
conditions of competition between domestic and for- 
eign products. 

It is also designed to bring together in summary 
form information concerning each of the articles 
enumerated in the tariff laws. The catalogue will 
further contain references to additional sources of 
information received by the Commission, both in 
print and as documentary material. 

The codification and simplification of the adminis- 
trative laws relating to customs will also be worked 
out by the Commission. 

The Commission is required to transmit to Con- 
gress in December of each year a report of its opera- 
tions during the preceding year, with a summary of 
all investigations and reports made. 

The Government gives to the first inventor — 
through the Patent Office — the exclusive right of 
Patent making use of or selling his invention 

OflBce. for seventeen years for a fee of thirty- 

five dollars. As the inventor thus has a monoply of 
his invention, it is possible for him to interest cap- 
italists to invest their money and develop the in- 



194 Use Your Government 

vention for the purpose of putting it on tlie market, 
without the risk of some other manufacturer becom- 
ing his rival, after he has demonstrated its popu- 
larity. 

The development of the art of invention has been 
extraordinary since the patent systems of the world 
were started. 

The Government of the United States is now issu- 
ing about forty thousand patents each year, for 
which about one thousand employees are engaged. 

The service of the Bureau of Standards indirectly 
or directly affects every individual in the United 
Bureau of States. Measurement is the basis of all 
Standards, land survey, including the location of 
property; measurement is the basis for the manu- 
facture and sale of practically all commodities; 
measurement underlies alike the prescriptions of the 
physician, the formulas of the chemist, the specifi- 
cations of the jobber, the plans of the architect, the 
contracts of the builder, and the statistics of the 
Government. Transportation rates are regulated 
by the weight and distance of shipments. Likewise 
in the use of heat, light, and electricity, measure- 
ments form the basis for manufacture, sale and use. 
These are a few of the many examples of the use of 
measurements in regulating human activities. 

For every kind of measurement there are measur- 
ing appliances which must be capable of measuring 
accurately and uniformly throughout the country. 



Information Given to the Business Man 195 

Each kind of measurement, therefore, requires ref- 
erence to a single ultimate standard for the entire 
country. These are maintained at the Bureau of 
Standards. This service is provided by Congress 
and without special action or request on the part of 
the general public. 

The design, construction, and standardization of 
the great variety of measuring instruments used in 
a thousand industries involve technical knowledge 
and the application of fundamental scientific theory. 
JThis requires the Bureau to maintain a corps of 
trained scientists experts in all branches of physics, 
chemistry, and engineering. 

The services of the Bureau are available to man- 
ufacturers in perfecting their methods of manu- 
facturing measuring appliances, to the inspectors 
of weights and measures for standardizing meth- 
ods for testing the measuring appliances used in 
trade, and to the general public in furnishing in- 
formation along every line affecting standards or 
measuring instruments. 

The Bureau also confers with public service com- 
missions which represent the people in regulating 
the basis of standards of quality for such public 
utilities as gas and electricity. 

Any citizen is entitled to come to the Bureau for 
advice within the Bureau ^s field. If the Bureau can 
refer the inquiry to a more direct source of infor- 
mation, this is done. But thousands of letters are 



196 Use Your Government 

written annually to tlie public in answer to technical 
questions involved in ordinary measurements. 

The Bureau ^s most important work, however, is 
in laboratory research into the scientific principles 
of measurements. Such research affects primarily 
the designers of measuring instruments and those 
experts who make use of such measuring instru- 
ments in the factory, the laboratory, or in the mar- 
kets. 

The Bureau has more than 500 separate publica- 
tions, containing the results of scientific and techni- 
cal researches, and also a number of popular circu- 
lars which set forth in simple language some of the 
results of the Bureau's work. (See page 329.) 

The work of the Bureau, broadly speaking, can 
be divided as follows: 

(1) It furnishes all state governments with 
standardization service for the state government 
standards deposited by the national Government 
in the capitols of all the states. 

The Bureau furnishes extra advice to larger muni- 
cipalities and assists in installing city inspection 
service for trade weights and measures. Sealers 
often visit the Bureau to study at first hand its 
methods of standardization. The Bureau issued in- 
structions for the guidance of sealers, holds con- 
ferences and has published a manual which will 
assist sealers to become expert in the inspection of 
trade weights and measures. 







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Information Given to the Business Man 197 

By means of the above two methods of work the 
Bureau assists in the control of the accuracy of 
yardsticks, liquid and dry capacity measures, 
weights and balances used in the entire retail busi- 
ness of the country. The purpose is to promote 
justice in daily trade through systematic inspection 
and regulation. 

The Bureau compares the standards by which 
manufacturers make the measuring appliances of 
daily trade. At their request the Bureau also as- 
sists in the matters of fixing the sizes of measuring 
appliances. For example, the recent Standard Bar- 
rel Act put the problem of administration up to the 
Bureau. The barrel makers appealed to the Bureau 
for assistance. The Bureau worked out charts, dia- 
grams and formulas and sent its experts to the bar- 
rel factories to assist the makers in determining 
accurately the size of their product. A similar ser- 
vice is rendered to the makers of weights and bal- 
ances and large scales. Here faulty design is 
pointed out and the Bureau has issued specifications 
to guide the manufacturers in improving the prod- 
uct. 

The Bureau tests the instruments which are used 
in scientific laboratories for measurement. Pre- 
cise measurement underlies all scientific research 
and the kinds of measurement have been multiplied 
in recent years. For each kind of measurement 
there must be clearly defined units, reliable and 



198 Use Your Government 

durable standards and accurate and convenient 
methods of measurement, together with special ap- 
paratus and measuring appliances to be used in the 
actual measuring. 

The old weights and measures, length, weight and 
capacity no longer serve even for the purpose of 
daily trade. We now measure area, pressure, den- 
sity, heat, light, electricity, and radioactivity. 

(2) The Bureau studies the data relating to the 
accurate knowledge which forms the basis of every 
industrial process. The purpose is to give investi- 
gators an accurate starting point; to give the in- 
dustries the means by which they can secure con- 
sistently uniform and high quality in their products, 
for instance in the quality of steel rails, of rubber 
goods, of paper, paints, textiles, and materials of 
every sort. 

For example, the elasticity of spring steel must 
be accurately known if the watchmaker is to make 
accurate timepieces. The strength of steel must 
be known accurately if bridges and skyscrapers are 
to be safe, or if tools and appliances are to be 
reliable, etc. 

(3) The Bureau is working in developing stand- 
ards of quality. The measure of quality is a dis- 
tinctly modern achievement. The aim is to fix or 
describe in measurable terms a group of properties 
which determine the qualities. For instance, a paper 
should have a certain thickness, a certain color, a 



Information Given to the Business Man 199 

certain weight, a certain strength and a certain re- 
sistance to bursting stress; each of these can be 
measured and specified in a contract made with a 
paper maker. To describe every kind of material 
for all its varied uses would involve, say, more 
than a hundred thousand separate items for the 
national Government alone. 

To give a practical instance of the Bureau's work: 
the Bureau secured the cooperation of the govern- 
ment, the makers and users of Portland cement and 
the technical experts on cement. By means of con- 
ferences, laboratory and field experiments, stand- 
ards of quality of Portland cement were agreed 
upon for the Government and for engineers. The 
standards were published by authority of the Presi- 
dent, and the standard has now become the basis of 
buying and testing this important material. A sim- 
ilar illustration may be cited, namely, the establish- 
ment of standards for electric plants. 

This work, by setting an attainable standard, in- 
sures high utility in the products of industry, fur- 
nishes a basis for fair dealing which avoids disputes 
and settles differences and encourages truthful ad- 
vertising. 

Furthermore, quality standards are a direct 
means of avoiding waste in science and industry. 
For example, a factor of safety of 200 per cent, or 
300 per cent, has to be allowed in structural engi- 
neering in designing and constructing bridges and 



200 Use Your Government 

buildings. The reason for this waste of material 
is the lack of standard data as to the exact strength 
of the columns. If a column is crushed in a testing 
machine it is no longer fit for use. If, however, the 
strength of the column could be assured in advance 
by a standard composition for the steel, a standard 
heat treatment and an exact knowledge of the effect 
of the shape of the column upon its strength, it 
would be possible to save a large percentage of the 
material which must be allowed as a factor of safety. 
Likewise, if a cutting tool, such as a drill, is made 
of a steel whose strength and hardness are of a 
standard magnitude (conformed to a standard 
quality) the performance in actual service could 
be predicted. If the standards of quality in the out- 
put are assured in the mill, by a scientifically 
planned process, and a measured control of each 
step, it would scarcely be necessary to test the out- 
put. Such mill control, or standards of process, are 
not yet scientifically planned or in operation, so that 
some testing is essential. The Bureau of Standards 
has developed a magnetic test by which the hardness 
of the drill can be determined without damage to the 
drill. This is of the utmost importance in machin- 
ing expensive appliances, where the breaking of a 
drill may ruin a piece. The establishment of stand- 
ards of quality, and the technical provision for en- 
suring them in mill practise, will eventually mean 
a saving of enormous losses in a thousand lines of 



Information Given to the Business Man 201 

industry, and ensure efficiency in all the operations 
which depend upon the quality of such products. 

(4) The work of the Bureau of Standards of 
performance is similar to the work on standards of 
quality. Quality applies to material, performance 
to a machine. In modern practise technical experts 
begin to realize that performance can be accurately 
measured. The mileage of a tire is a measure of tire 
service. The mileage of gasoline is a measure of 
the efficiency of the motor and gear of an automo- 
bile. Sometimes performance can be simply speci- 
fied, as in the case of a tuning-fork. In other cases, 
it may involve thousands of measurements to fully 
describe the speed, uniformity, output, economy, 
durability and the other factors which working to- 
gether define the net efficiency of an appliance. The 
use of standards of performance will make exact 
knowledge the basis of the buyer's choice, it wiU 
stimulate and measure mechanical progress, and 
place every purchase upon a clear understanding be- 
tween the maker, seller, buyer and user as to what 
can be expected of a given machine or appliance. 

(5) Standards of practise represent another 
very important phase of the Bureau's work, and 
is similar to the standards of performance and qual- 
ity. Two publications have been issued in connec- 
tion herewith and the cooperation of many national 
organizations was secured in developing these, en- 
titled ** standards for Electric Service" and 



202 Use Your Government 

** Standards for Gas Service. *' In each case there 
is set forth an impersonal standard to ensure effect- 
ive design and installation, promote safety and con- 
venience, and to secure a uniform practise as fully 
as possible. The extension of this work is to in- 
clude interurban trolley service and telephone ser- 
vice, which will mark an important step forward in 
the promotion of the public interest. 

The work of the Bureau of Crop Estimates (see 
page 24) is of great interest to large manufactur- 
Bureau of i^^ firms, agricultural implement con- 
Crop cerns and hardware companies who nei- 
Estimates. ^j^^j, j^^y j^qj. ^qH farm products. The 

knowledge given them by an estimate of crop pros- 
pects enables them to distribute their wares eco- 
nomically, sending much to sections where crops are 
good and farmers will have money with which to buy 
and less to sections where the crops are short and 
farmers will have less to spend. 

The railroads of the country which move the 
crops from the farms to the markets must know in 
advance the probable size of the crop, in order to 
provide a sufficient number of cars to handle it 
effectively and without delay. Cases are not infre- 
quent when the prices of grain at railroad stations 
are reduced or there is absolutely no sale for the 
grain because cars are not available for shipping. 

Prompt and reliable information regarding crop 
prospects is also important and valuable in the con- 



Information Given to the Business Man 203 

duct of commercial, industrial, and transportation 
enterprises. The earlier the information regarding 
the probable production of the great agricultural 
commodities can be published the more safely and 
economically can the business of the country be man- 
aged from year to year. 

Eetail dealers in all lines of goods, whether in the 
city or in the country, order from wholesale mer- 
chants and manufacturers the goods they expect to 
sell many weeks or months before the actual pur- 
chase and shipment. It is therefore important that 
they have the earliest possible information with re- 
gard to crop prospects and the probable purchas- 
ing powers of the farmer. 

The work of the Bureau is also largely used by 
those who deal directly in the products of agricul- 
ture, such as millers, speculators, etc. Large finan- 
cial institutions, the Federal Reserve Bank offi- 
cials, etc., also make use of the reports to a large 
extent. 

Weather The reports of the Weather Bureau 

Bureau. (see page 15) are used as follows by 

the business man, states the Bureau *s pamphlet on 
this subject: 

The daily maps and bulletins and the general bul- 
letin and reports containing statistical data are used 
by the grain and cotton brokers, who are guided 
largely by the forecasts in their operations. 

The data regarding rainfall and snowfall are ex- 



204 Use Your Government 

tremely useful in planning irrigation enterprises 
and selecting reservoir sites and are studied in con- 
nection with the construction of water works, 
bridges and sewers. They are also necessary in 
dredging operations, the location of walls, construc- 
tion of dams and in practically every phase of 
bridge building and general improvement. 

They are also used by bond and investment com- 
panies in determining the loan values of farm lands 
in newly opened countries. 

The railway and transportation companies make 
continued use of the forecasts in all their ship- 
ments. Perishable products are protected against 
temperature extremes by icing or heating, as con- 
ditions may require. Oftentimes shipments of per- 
ishable goods are accelerated when it is found pos- 
sible to carry them to their destination in advance 
of the expected unfavorable temperature conditions. 
When this cannot be accomplished, goods en route 
are run into roundhouses for protection. An ad- 
vance notice of a cold wave will also often hold up 
a contemplated shipment until after the freeze has 
passed, and if the cold is protracted the companies 
will refuse to receive consignments of goods likely 
to be injured by low temperatures. These precau- 
tions apply in some instances to prospective temper- 
ature changes within comparatively narrow limits. 

The daily forecast and report of general weather 
conditions likewise assist in determining the points 



Information Given to the Business Man 205 

to which many shipments of perishable articles are 
directed, in order to meet the irregular demands 
that are frequently dependent upon the kinds of 
weather that prevails in a given section. The move- 
ment of eggs kept in storage, for instance, is largely 
regulated by temperature changes, the announce- 
ment of a cold wave being usually followed by 
brisker shipments from Western supply districts to 
the Eastern markets in anticipation of a rise in 
prices. 

The uses made of temperature forecasts in the 
cities are of a very varied character and concern 
every phase of city life from the merchants ' point of 
view — from the coal dealer to the ice man. 

The river and flood service of the Weather Bureau 
is organized with its principal headquarters at 
Washington, D. C, and subsidiary district centers 
at advantageous points on the respective rivers 
along which a service is maintained. 

About 60 district centers are maintained outside 
of Washington, D. C. 

Measurements of precipitation on the headwaters 
of the streams and observations of the height of 
water on the gauge at upstream points are collected 
by telegraph or telephone from about 540 substa- 
tions and serve as the basis for warnings of floods 
in the lower reaches of the streams. A second use- 
ful purpose is served on navigable streams, viz., that 
of giving notice of boating stages during the low- 



206 Use Your Government 

water season. These flood warnings are indispens- 
able to all river industries, as well as to the opera- 
tions carried on in the lowlands subject to inunda- 
tion. The issue of the flood warnings is followed 
by the removal of cattle from bottom lands and by 
the saving of such crops as can be cut before the 
high water reaches the threatened district. Fore- 
knowledge of the expected river stages is also of 
great advantage in determining whether or not it 
will be advisable to undertake farming operations in 
the regions subject to overflow. In the cities the 
flood service often enables the merchant to save 
goods kept in the basement or streets likely to be- 
come flooded. The service is also of great assistance 
to the lumberman with regard to the cutting of his 
timber in the swamps, etc. 

The fishing industry is greatly benefited by this 
service, as the rise and fall of rivers in many cases 
determines the haul of the fish. 

Census of Population, In the tenth year of each 
decade the Bureau of the Census makes an enumer- 
Bureau ation of the population of the United 

of the States, and of each state, municipality. 

Census. county and township, or similar county 

subdivision. This enumeration covers not merely 
the actual numbers of persons living in these various 
geographical units, but also their ^'composition and 
characteristics'' as to sex, age, color or race, birth- 
place, birthplace of parents, native languages, con- 



Information Given to the Business Man 207 

jugal condition, school attendance, literacy, ability 
to speak English, ownership of homes, and occu- 
pations, and, in addition for the foreign born, length 
of time in the United States and status as to citizen- 
ship. 

The figures as to the total populations of the 
'various municipalities, etc., are obviously of im- 
mense value to all large manufacturers and dealers ; 
and while some of the detailed statistics are useful 
chiefly to educators, students, economists, sociolo- 
gists, etc., nevertheless many of them are helpful 
to the business man as well. For example, a manu- 
facturer seeking a suitable location for a new plant 
will want to know not merely the total populations 
of the places he has under consideration, but also 
the numbers of natives and numbers of foreigners, 
the numbers of young and middle-aged persons, and 
the principal occupations of the inhabitants. All 
these data he can easily obtain from the census re- 
ports, which are published not only in large bound 
volumes that may be consulted at leading libraries 
throughout the country, but also in paper-bound bul- 
letins that may be obtained without charge from the 
Census Bureau upon request. 

Census of Manufacturers. Every five years the 
Census Bureau collects statistics of manufacturers, 
covering such matters as number of establishments ; 
proprietors, officials and employees; character of 
ownership (corporate, firm, individual, or other) ; 



208 Use Your Government 

capital invested; salaries and wages paid; cost of 
materials and fuel; kind and amount of power; 
kinds and values of products and quantities of prin- 
cipal products; hours of labor; etc. 

These statistics, like those relating to population, 
are published in large bound volumes, and also in 
the form of paper-bound bulletins. The latter, 
which are distributed free upon request, relate to 
individual states and to individual industries; and 
the state bulletins contain separate figures for cities 
having 10,000 or more inhabitants. The last census 
of manufacturers related to the industrial operations 
of the complete calendar year 1914; and the next, 
which will form a part of the coming decennial cen- 
sus, to be taken in 1920, will cover the manufactur- 
ing operations of the year 1919. 

The great value of these statistics to manufactur- 
ers, dealers and business men generally, especially 
when considered in connection with the annual sta- 
tistics of imports and exports published by the Bu- 
reau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, of the 
Department of Commerce, is so obvious as to need 
no comment. 

Census of Electric Light and Power Stations and 
Electric Railways. Every five years the Census Bu- 
reau publishes statistics relating to central electric 
light and power stations and electric railways (in- 
cluding all street railways, whether electrically 
operated or not). These statistics show, for electric 



Information Given to the Business Man 209 

light and power stations, sucii items of information 
as the following: numbers of commercial and mu-- 
nicipal stations; character of ownership of com- 
mercial stations (whether corporate, firm, indi- 
vidual, or other) ; data as to stations operated in 
connection with railways; equipment; output (in 
kilowatt hours) ; capitalization; cost of construction 
and equipment; income and expenses; employees; 
salaries and wages; number of customers; and a 
comparison of central electric stations and gas 
plants. 

The report presenting these statistics also con- 
tains a section entitled *^ Technical Aspects of the 
Period,'^ which consists of a technical discussion, 
with illustrations, of the advances made and the im- 
provements that have come into use during the pre- 
ceding five years. 

The report relating to street and electric rail- 
ways presents statistics as to trackage, motive 
power, and rolling stock; traffic; electrically oper- 
ated divisions of steam roads; municipal railways; 
elevated and subway railways; urban and inter- 
urban railways; equipment; output of power sta- 
tions (in kilowatt hours) ; capitalization and cost of 
construction; income and expenses; employees; sal- 
aries and wages ; sale of current by electric railway 
companies ; etc. This report also contains a section 
devoted to the technical advances made in the in- 
dustry during the preceding five-year period. 



210 Use Your Government 

The next report on these industries will cover the 
industrial operations of the calendar y^ar 1917. 

Statistics of Telephones and Telegraphs. In con- 
nection with the census of electric light and power 
plants and electric railways, data are gathered in 
regard to telephone and telegraph companies (in- 
cluding cable and wireless)' and municipal electric 
j&re-alarm and police-patrol signaling systems. The 
report on these subjects covers finances, amount of 
business done, equipment, employees, salaries and 
wages, etc., for the Bell, independent and govern- 
mental telephone systems and for commercial and 
governmental land, ocean-cable, and wireless tele- 
graph companies ; and shows the number of systems, 
mileage of overhead and underground wire, amount 
of other equipment, number of signals or alarms, 
etc., for municipal electric fire-alarm and police- 
patrol signaling systems. 

Statistics of Water Transportation. Every ten 
years there is published a report relating to water 
transportation. This report presents, for the va- 
rious classes of American-owned craft of five gross 
tons or more, engaged in coastwise or foreign trade, 
statistics as to ownership (corporate, firm, indi- 
vidual, or other), construction, number and tonnage, 
valuation, power, income, employees, wages, freight 
and passengers. Congressional appropriations for 
development of inland waterways, etc. In addition, 
similar information, so far as practicable, will be 



Information Given to the Business Man 211 

given in the forthcoming report, which will cover 
the calendar year 1916, for American fishing craft. 

The report for 1916 will also present statistics 
for the shipbuilding industry, covering the construc- 
tion and repair of vessels of all classes, whether for 
operation on the waters of the United States or in 
foreign trade. 

Statistics of Fisheries, Another investigation 
made at ten-year intervals by the Census Bureau is 
that relating to fisheries. This is conducted in co- 
operation with the Bureau of Fisheries. The report 
gives detailed statistical information as to capital 
and equipment; number and occupational status of 
persons engaged ; salaries and wages ; species, quan- 
titles, and values of products ; exports and imports ; 
etc. The next report relating to the fishing industry 
will cover the calendar year 1918. 

Statistics of Mines and Quarries. As a part of 
each decennial census — that is, each census of pop- 
ulation, manufactures, etc., taken in a year divis^ 
ible by ten — there is made an inquiry relating to 
mines, quarries, and oil and gas wells. The last 
report on this subject, which covered the industrial 
operations of the complete calendar year 1909, pre- 
sented statistics showing the geographical distri- 
bution and number of mines, quarries, and wells; 
capital; character of organization (corporate, firm, 
individual, or other) ; number of operators, pro- 
prietors, officers, and employees; salaries and 



212 Use Your Government 

wages; hours of labor; kinds, quantities, and values 
of products; cost of supplies and materials; ex- 
penses; power; etc. 

Statistics of Municipal Finance. The Bureau of 
the Census makes annual collections and publica- 
tions of financial statistics for cities having 30,000 
or more inhabitants. These statistics give a com- 
plete presentation of the financial transactions of 
all cities of the size specified, showing assessed valu- 
ation of taxed property, taxes levied, amounts de- 
rived from other forms of revenue, expenditures for 
current purposes, outlays for permanent improve- 
ments, indebtedness, assets, etc. These statistics, 
while primarily of value to city officials and others 
especially interested in municipal finance, are of 
considerable value also to the business man, since 
by consulting them he can ascertain whether a given 
city is conducting its fiscal affairs in a businesslike 
and economical manner. 

Statistics of State Finance. The Census Bu- 
reau also publishes annually a report presenting, 
for the several states of the Union, statistics simi- 
lar in scope to those given in the reports on munici- 
pal finance, just described. 

Periodical Cotton and Cotton Seed Statistics. 
At slightly varying intervals, averaging about two 
weeks in length, the Census Bureau collects and 
publishes figures showing the amounts of cotton 
ginned to specified dates, a total of ten such reports 



Information Given to the Business Man 213 

being issued during each ginning season in the form 
of post cards, which are mailed to large numbers of 
growers, dealers, and others interested in the cotton 
industry. At monthly intervals the Bureau collects 
and publishes in post-card form statistics relating 
to cotton consumed, exported, imported, and on 
hand and active cotton spindles; and statistics per- 
taining to cotton seed and its products. It also pub- 
lishes quarterly statistics relating to the consump- 
tion of cotton, cotton fiber in the manufacture of 
explosives and of raw cotton in the manufacture of 
absorbent and medicated cotton. An annual bulletin 
is issued, in which are presented, in amplified form 
with text discussions, the various statistics published 
at intervals during the preceding year, together 
with other information not given in the periodical 
reports. This bulletin shows cotton and linter pro- 
duction; number and average output of ginneries; 
weight and estimated value of upland and sea-island 
cotton and seed; acreage and production of each 
cotton state; average grades and prices; consump- 
tion of cotton and linters in manufacturing indus- 
tries; number of active spindles; exports and im- 
ports of cotton and its manufactures; number of 
establishments crushing cotton seed; quantities of 
seed produced and crushed and of linters obtained ; 
and kinds, quantities, and values of cotton-seed 
products. 

Statistics of Tobacco Stocks, At quarterly in- 



214 Use Your Government 

tervals during the year the Bureau collects statis- 
tics concerning the quantities of leaf tobacco of all 
forms held by manufacturers and dealers in the 
United States. The reports, which are issued in 
post-card form, show the number of pounds of leaf 
tobacco on hand, classified according to principal 
chewing, smoking, snuif and export types, principal 
uigar and import types. 



CHAPTER II.— SPECIAL WORK DONE FOR 
VARIOUS INDUSTRIES 

(a) The Mining Industry 

The mining industry is second only to agriculture, 
with an annual mineral production now ranging be- 
tween $2,000,000,000 and $3,000,000,000, and includ- 
ing over 100 minerals and with about 90,000 produc- 
ing firms employing hundreds of thousands of 
miners. 

The Government early recognized the need of 
obtaining accurate information concerning the nat- 
Geological ural resources of the country. Many 
Survey. of the first investigations were made 
by expeditions sent out by the Army or Navy, 
but civilian scientists were afterwards attached to 
these expeditions. After the Civil War and the 
opening of the great unknown Western territory, 
expeditions that were primarily scientific were sent 
out. In 1879, acting on the advice of the National 
Academy of Sciences, and impressed with the need 
of a permanent Bureau for the collecting and dis- 
seminating information on the nature and resources 
of the country, Congress created the Geological 

215 



216 Use Your Government 

Survey. This organization was planned to have 
charge of the classification of the public lands and 
the examination of the geological structure, mineral 
resources and products of the national domain. 

The law by which the Geological Survey was 
organized provides broadly for the classification of 
the public domain, in connection with the enforce- 
ment of the public land laws which depend on the 
character of the land. (See page 153.) 

The land is classed according to the various laws, 
as ** Homestead Land,'' ^'Mineral Land," ** Desert 
Land,'' ^' Dry Land," etc. 

Whether the settler gets his land from the Gov- 
ernment or buys it from other holders, the infor- 
mation obtained regarding the geological structure, 
mineral resources, etc., is at his disposal to assist 
him in the purchase and development of his land. 

One of the chief methods of making available to 
the general public the result of the work of the 
Geological Survey is by means of maps. For the 
making of these it employs more than 150 topo- 
graphic engineers and many more temporary field 
assistants who are engaged in making topographic 
base maps of the United States, a work in which 
many of the individual states cooperate with the 
Survey. Over 2,500 of these maps, representing 
about 40 per cent, of the area of the United States, 
have been published and the map work is progress- 
ing at the rate of 20,000 square miles a year. 



Work Done for Mininff Industry 217 

These topographic maps are printed in three col- 
ors so as to distinguish clearly the three kinds of 
features shown. Black is used to indicate roads, 
houses and names — the human features of the map 
— and blue is used to indicate the streams and lakes 
and other water features, and brown is used to in- 
dicate the hills and valleys, whose elevations are 
shown by means of contour lines. 

The topographic map is an accurate relief model 
of the area map, there being no part of the area 
shown on the map whose altitude above sea level 
is not indicated. It is a complete dictionary of alti- 
tudes for the entire area of the country. The Sur- 
vey's topographic map taken as a whole forms an 
atlas composed of thousands of sheets and is the de- 
tailed base map of the country. 

The surveys for each of these maps are made 
at a cost of $3,000 to $5,000 and they show every 
physical feature of the area it covers, every stream- 
let and hill, every crossroad and farmhouse, in its 
exact relative position to all the other objects in the 
area. These maps can be bought at the nominal 
price of ten cents and the Survey sells more than 
half a million maps a year. 

This serves as a base on which can be repre- 
sented the features relating to many of the subjects 
that have been investigated, as, for instance, the kind 
and distribution of the rocks, the economic re- 
sources, and facts of geographic significance. 



218 Use Your Government 

The method of making the maps is as follows : 

The area to be mapped must first be located on 
the earth's surface geographically. This involves 
the determination of the exact position in latitude 
and longitude by astronomic measures of a point 
on or near the area to be mapped, from which the 
location of all the other points are determined. In 
addition the exact elevation abov6 the sea of certain 
selected points must be ascertained. These lines 
ramify throughout the United States and range in 
elevation from the lowest point in Death Valley, 
which is 276 feet below the level of the sea, to the 
summit of Mt. Whitney, 14,501 feet above sea level, 
the highest point in the United States south of 
Alaska. 

The permanent records of work of this kind are 
left in the country mapped in the form of bench 
marks — ^plates giving the elevation of the particular 
spots marked to the nearest foot. The Survey has 
set 30,000 of these bench marks which are used as 
starthig points for the various engineering works — 
by ranches in planting the irrigation system, by the 
engineer in locating a petroleum pipe-line route, by 
the sanitary engineer in building a city sewer and by 
the mining operator in figuring the tonnage of ore or 
fuel yet in. the ground. 

Following the work of the topographer comes the 
work of the geologist, who observes and locates 
on the topographer's map the distribution of the 



Work Done for Mining Industry 219 

various kinds of rocks. The work of the geologist 
is widespread and extends into every state in the 
Union and into Alaska and Hawaii. As a result of 
these geologic explorations and investigations made 
by the Survey, maps representing thousands of 
square miles are published each year. They are 
applied to many uses. Maps of areas that include 
pools of oil and gas show the lay of the rocks deep 
below the surface and the places at which further 
drilling is most likely to result in producing wells. 
Maps of coal lands show what areas are underlain 
by coal, and many of them indicate the depth of the 
coal below the surface. Such a map is accompanied 
by a report which, if it covers a coal field, gives the 
data for determining the tonnage of coal within any 
part of the area covered. Some of these maps show 
not only where water-bearing formations outcrop, 
but how deep they lie below the surface and how far 
a man must drill to get water. Maps of many min- 
ing districts show the localities most favorable for 
prospecting for ore deposits. 

Where the geologist leaves off, the mining engi- 
neer takes hold, and in examining and appraising 
a mineral property the mining engineer uses the 
map and report of the geologist. The same may be 
said of the constructing engineer, who uses the map 
showing the rock structure or the character of the 
foundation upon which he must build. 

The Geological Survey has thus mapped and re- 



220 Use Your Government 

ported on hundreds of thousands of square miles of 
t>ie United States, showing the location of coal beds, 
phosphate beds, iron ores, gold-bearing rocks and 
placers, silver, copper, lead and zinc-bearing rock, 
limestone, marble, granite, slate, in fact every kind 
of precious and useful mineral from rare minerals, 
such as radium ores and gem-bearing formations, to 
common brick-clay deposits. It has been possible to 
estimate the reserve supply of some of the minerals 
in the ground, both that of local deposits and the 
total for the country as a whole. 

Investigations of mines by geologists to determine 
the quantity of ore available and its geological oc- 
currence are of great importance to all those in any 
way interested in mining. The information thus 
acquired is of value in determining the best way 
of developing a deposit and indicating places where 
similar types are to be looked for with the probable 
conditions to be encountered. 

Considerable information concerning the deposits 
of minerals is gathered by the Geological Survey 
and given to the public by means of its publications, 
various maps and correspondence. The work of the 
Geological Survey in this respect can be classified 
as follows: 

(a) The geographic distribution of deposits, 
which furnishes information concerning those places 
from which certain supplies can be secured, thus 
eliminating the search in unpromising areas. With 



Work Done for Mining Industry 221 

a complete inventory of the places where the desired 
mineral occurs, the miner, the investor, and the nser 
of this particular mineral knows where to search for 
same. The facts are acquired by the geologists in 
the course of the numerous field investigations that 
are constantly in progress. Although new informa- 
tion may disclose new deposits, the general distribu- 
tion of all the more important minerals in the 
United States has already been fairly well worked 
out. 

(b) The extent of the various mineral deposits 
is of nearly as vital importance as their location. 
The business man needs to know the size of the de- 
posit he is developing or using. The determinations 
of extent must take into account not only the hori- 
zontal or surface extent of the deposit, but must 
predict so far as possible the vertical extent of the 
deposits in question. Geological insight and inter- 
pretation are required for this factor and the work 
is therefore done by geologists specially trained 
through long experience in dealing with deposits of 
similar character in all parts of the country. 

(c) The necessity for knowledge concerning the 
geologic mode of occurrence of deposits is that a 
thorough knowledge of the known deposits is neces- 
sary in order to predict conditions which will be en- 
countered in undeveloped deposits. Therefore a 
large part of the Survey geologist's investigations 
must regard the conditions shown in developed 



222 Use Your Government 

mines. This knowledge must be used not only in 
further scientific studies, but must be presented to 
the business man so that he can draw his inferences 
regarding the deposit he is contemplating develop- 
ing or using. 

(d) The statistical work of the Survey regarding 
the uses and quantities of mineral deposits is 
greatly used by the mining industry. The Survey 
is in close personal touch with practically all the in- 
dividual mine owners and operators and collects 
from them information which is compiled by trained 
geologists^ competent not only to properly classify 
each year's production, but to discuss its relation 
to the nation's and the world's reserve of mineral 
wealth. The Survey's volume, ^^ Mineral Resources," 
is in fact an annual encyclopedia and inventory of 
the nation's mineral resources. 

The results of the statistical inquiries are making 
the Survey more and more used as a clearing house 
of information concerning the mineral resources of 
the country. The information is made available to 
inquirers through formal publications and corre- 
spondence, giving detailed information such as the 
location of deposits of minerals, both those that are 
developed and those that are undeveloped, and the 
names of those who can supply the different min- 
erals. At the present time statistics regarding 
nearly 100 separate mineral products are compiled 
and technical details concerning each received and 



Work Done for Mining Industry 223 

made available for general use. (See also page 
211.) 

Further publications of the Survey are tbe re- 
ports on its work issued as monographs, chapters 
and volumes on mineral resources, folios, profes- 
sional papers, bulletins, annual reports and water 
supply papers and special publications, as well as 
maps. (See page 216.) All these are free of charge, 
with the exception of a few which are sold at a 
nominal charge. 

The Geological Survey receives about 13,000 let- 
ters each month and more than that are sent out in 
reply or to initiate investigations. Of this number 
about a half relate solely to requests for publica- 
tions, the other half of the correspondence relating 
to technical and scientific inquiries. These inquiries 
vary greatly in their scope and in the subject matter 
— covering all phases of the Survey's activities. 
Bureau of The Bureau of Mines was created not 
Mines. only to reduce the death toll among the 

miners (see page 281), but to assist the manufac- 
turers of the country in industrial research. 

For instance, in regard to coal mining. 

Before the Bureau was created coal was bought 
either under a trade name, or merely as coal, irre- 
spective of its heating value. Through results of 
the work of the Bureau most of the industries 
throughout the country are now buying coal on what 
is known as a specification basis, which states a 



224 Use Your Government 

minimum number of British thermal units accept- 
able and also a maximum amount of ash. If more 
heat units are furnished, a premium is paid ; if less 
heat units, la penalty. This also applies to the 
amount of ash. 

The Bureau maintains at Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- 
vania, its principal experiment station, where in- 
vestigations into the theory of combustion are made. 
The result of these investigations has been to teach 
the engineers and firemen economical methods of 
burning coal. 

In order that the big consumers of coal may ob- 
tain coal that is suitable for the special design of 
furnace used, the Bureau some years ago began a 
systematic sampling of all that was mined in the 
country. It has already issued several reports con- 
taining the analyses of these coals, which have led 
to a more intelligent and a more economical pur- 
chase thereof. From the analyses of the Bureau an 
engineer may learn where he can purchase coal suit- 
able for his purpose at the cheapest price. A New 
York manufacturer may have been purchasing coal 
from a West Virginia mine, and learn that he may 
purchase a quality equally as good from Pennsyl- 
vania with much less haulage and transportation 
charges. 

The Bureau of Mines has conducted research 
work to show how deposit of high grade ores may 
be treated more economically and has endeavored 



Work Done for Mining IndAistry 225 

to find processes whereby the millions of tons of 
low grade ores might be commercially utilized. 

The Bureau now has seven experiment stations, 
scattered throughout the country, whose duty it is 
to work on metallurgical problems. By a law enacted 
in Congress two years ago, ten experiment stations 
were provided for, to be established three each year, 
and in many instances these act in cooperation with 
mining companies. 

The Bureau, realizing the enormous losses in the 
production of petroleum and natural gas, some 
years ago undertook a systematic campaign of 
education regarding these. Expert oil-well drillers 
were employed by the Bureau and sent to the va- 
rious fields to introduce what is known as the ^* mud- 
laden fluid method, '* which is now in general use, 
and waste of fuel has now been stopped to a very 
great extent. 

Investigations made by the Bureau of Mines and 
the Geological Survey have caused experts to be- 
lieve that the country has now reached the maximum 
of its production of petroleum, and that there may 
be a steady decline in the yield. The Bureau of 
Mines is, therefore, endeavoring to find other re- 
sources for the gasoline which comes from petro- 
leum. 

Interesting experiments were made by the Bu- 
reau concerning radium, the results of which have 
been that radium can at least be supplied to the 



226 Use Your Government 

hospitals of the Army, Navy and Public Health Ser- 
vice at a cost of one-third of the price at which it has 
been obtained from foreign producers. 

The Bureau is also making successful experiments 
with regard to the production of potash. 

The results of all the investigations of the Bureau 
are published for the benefit of the general public, 
more than a million publications being distributed 
each year. The greater bulk of these goes to men 
connected with the various industries which have 
been benefited by the researches of the Bureau. 

(&) The Fishing Industry 

Bureau of The work of the Bureau of Fisheries 
Fisheries, forms one of the earliest and most ef- 
fective conservation movements undertaken by the 
Federal Government. 

Its establishment was due to the widespread 
opinion that fisheries in general were diminishing in 
value and importance on account of the intensity 
and methods with which they were being developed. 
The investigations carried on by the American Fish- 
eries Society confirmed this fact and largely through 
the influence and representations of states' fishery 
officers, Congress passed a joint resolution, approved 
in February, 1871, which provided for the appoint- 
ment of a commissioner of fish and fisheries, who 
was directed to conduct investigations concerning 



Work Done for Fishing Industry/ 227j 

the facts and the causes of the alleged dimimition 
and to recommend measures to remedy the same. 

Until July 1, 1903, this organization was known as 
the United States Commission of Fisheries, but on 
the organization of the Department of Commerce 
and Labor it was included by law in the new De- 
partment and the name was changed to Bureau of 
Fisheries. When the Department was subdivided, 
the Bureau was retained in the Department of Com- 
merce. 

The original conception of the Bureau was a body 
for scientific statistical and practical investigation 
of the fisheries and that phase of its work has al- 
ways been prominent ; but it was soon found that to 
secure the practical end which dictated its formation 
it would have to be given additional functions. This 
was in part accomplished by an Act approved on 
June 10, 1872, which gave authority for the prop- 
agation of food fishes, a branch of the service 
which has grown until at present it constitutes the 
largest part of the Bureau's activities. 

The policy has been to carry out the idea that it 
is better to expend a small amount of public money 
in making fish so abundant that they can be caught 
with a minimum of restriction and serve as cheap 
food for the people at large than to expend a much 
larger sum in preventing the people from catching 
the few fish that still remain after generations of 
improvidence. Public or government fish culture 



228 Use Your Government 

has in America attained tremendous proportions 
and exceeds in extent and importance that of all the 
other countries combined. 

Scientific Division. The scientific work for which 
the Bureau was originally created has grown greatly 
in both quantity and scope. It embraces a study of 
the habits, distribution, diseases and classification 
of fishes and other aquatic animals, especially those 
of commercial importance, and of their food and 
enemies. As any organism is controlled more or 
less by its environment, the study of a commercial 
species involves investigation of the other animals 
and plants with which it is directly or indirectly 
associated and of the physical and chemical char- 
acters of the waters in which it lives. The informa- 
tion necessary as a basis for the conservation and 
improvement of the fisheries, therefore, covers a 
wide field in aquatic biology, physics and chemistry 
which is embraced in the scientific work of the 
Bureau. 

Division of Inquiry Respecting Food Fishes. 
This Division continues the work for which the 
Bureau was originally instituted. The scientific 
work covers the field of aquatic biology. In order to 
understand the requirements for the protection and 
fostering of the fishes it is necessary to know not 
only the complete life histories of all the species of 
direct economic value, but also the habits, food and 



Work Done for Fishing Ind/ustry 229 

enemies of those species, and tbeir relations to their 
physical and biological environments. 

This Division also conducts investigations and ex- 
periments tending directly to the increase of eco- 
nomic aquatic animals, especially those which, like 
sponges, oysters, mussels and terrapin, are from 
their habits and nature not susceptible to the ordi- 
nary method of fish culture. 

The investigations and experiments are conducted 
by field parties or at the biological stations. There 
are also one specially equipped steamer for deep- 
sea investigations, one for coastal work and a num- 
ber of smaller craft for inshore and river duty. 

The small permanent staff which is concerned 
chiefly with the work of more direct economic appli- 
cation is supplemented when occasion arises by the 
employment of experts and investigators from sci- 
entific institutions. 

An important feature of the work of this Division 
lies in furnishing to the several states advice and 
facts relating to fisheries legislation and administra- 
tion. 

Some of the practical scientific aids which the Bu- 
reau has extended the fisheries in recent years con- 
sists of the location of new fishing grounds, the 
development of markets and means of using wasted 
or neglected fishery resources; the development of 
methods of sponge, terrapin, and fresh-water mus- 
sel culture; causes of disease in fishes; surveys of 



230 Use Your Government 

oyster bottoms and recommendations for their con- 
servation and utilization; recommendations for 
state fishery legislation, etc. 

Statistical Division, This Division performs an- 
other of the original functions of the Bureau. The 
first duty to which the Bureau of Fisheries was as- 
signed, namely, the investigation of the reported 
decrease of food fishes in New England, necessarily 
involved the collection of statistics of production, 
personal, and capital. Since that time this branch 
of the work has been conducted without interrup- 
tion, and in it have naturally been included the 
various other subjects affecting the economic and 
commercial aspects of the fisheries. Among its 
functions are: (1) a general survey of the commer- 
cial fisheries of the country; (2) a study of the fish- 
ery grounds with reference to their extent, re- 
sources, yield, and conditions; (3) a study of the 
vessels and boats employed in the fisheries, with 
special reference to their improvement; (4) a de- 
termination of the utility and effect of the appar- 
atus of capture employed in each fishery; (5) a 
study of the methods of fishing, for the special pur- 
pose of suggesting improvements or of discovering 
the use of unprofitable or unnecessarily destructive 
methods ; (6) an inquiry into the methods of utiliz- 
ing fishery products (including recipes for the cook- 
ing of fish, see page 328), the means and methods of 
transportation, and the extent and condition of the 



Work Done for Fishing Industry 231 

wholesale trade; (7) a census of tlie fishing popula- 
tion, their economic and hygienic condition, nativity^ 
and citizenship; (8) a study of international ques- 
tions affecting the fisheries; (9) the prosecution of 
inquiries regarding the fishing apparatus and meth- 
ods of foreign countries. 

Periodical canvasses are made usually by geo- 
graphical regions, namely, the New England States, 
Middle Atlantic States, South Atlantic States, Gulf 
States, Pacific Coast States, Mississippi Eiver and 
Tributaries, Great Lakes, minor interior waters, and 
Alaska. In the last few years unusually compre- 
hensive statistical reports have been published on 
the oyster, menhaden, lobster, shrimp and fresh- 
water mussels. This statistical information is not 
only of immediate interest to the fishing industries, 
but is highly important as a basis for determining 
the necessity and the measures for the regulation 
and conservation of the fisheries. 

Fish Culture. The Division of the service cover- 
ing Fish Culture has under its direction all opera- 
tions connected with the artificial propagation and 
distribution of fishes. Its practical work in 1917 
was conducted through 55 fish cultural stations, and 
94 sub- or field-stations, located in 35 states and 
the territory of Alaska and six specially devised 
railway cars engage in distributing their products. 

It is the endeavor of the Bureau to hatch and 
plant fishes in sufficiently large numbers to com- 



232 Use Your Government 

pensate for the reduction of the natural supply 
through the fisheries and the volume of its output 
has steadily increased until in 1917 it aggregated 
5,158,963,293 fish and eggs. These operations have 
materially benefited some fisheries and have saved 
others from complete extinction. 

This Division has also carried on particularly 
successful work in introducing valuable fishes in 
waters to which they were not indigenous and in 
rescuing fishes in overflowed lands where the reces- 
sion of the waters would leave them stranded to die. 
This part of the Bureau ^s work is carried on inde- 
pendently or, where public interest dictates, in co- 
operation with the states. 

The stocking of waters with food fishes is a direct 
benefit to the public not only in increasing the ma- 
terial that supports an enormous industry but in 
providing food and recreation for the individual 
who will use his hook and line. 

Fish cultural stations are established by Act of 
Congress and their locations and construction are 
determined by the Bureau after a careful survey 
of the available site in a given state. In addition 
to the regular hatcheries with their regular staff and 
living quarters, there are maintained numerous 
hatcheries or substations which from the nature of 
their work do not require a permanent force and 
are therefore for economic and administrative con- 
siderations operated as adjuncts of nearby hatch- 



Work Done for Fishing Industry 233 

eries. There is still another type of culture station, 
known as Field or Collecting Stations, which serve 
as temporary headquarters for parties engaged in 
obtaining eggs from wild fishes. 

Fishes are distributed at various stages of devel- 
opment according to the species, the numbers in the 
hatcheries and the facilities for rearing. To insure 
the best results from plants of fish, applicants are 
required to furnish full information as to the physi- 
cal character and present inhabitants of the waters 
to be stocked, and a suitable species of fish for plant- 
ing therein is determined by the Bureau. Black bass, 
for instance, are not furnished for waters stocked 
with trout, which they would destroy. Nor are trout 
consigned to waters already inhabited by predaceous 
fishes. The number of fish allotted to any applicant 
is governed by the available supply of that species 
and the area and character of the water in question. 
The Bureau attempts only to furnish a liberal brood 
stock, expecting that the fish will be protected until 
they have had time to reproduce. 

The first consideration in the distribution of fishes 
is to make ample returns to the waters from which 
eggs or fish have been collected. The remainder of 
the product is consigned to suitable public or private 
waters. All the applications for fish for private 
waters and many of those for public streams and 
lakes are transmitted through and receive the en- 
dorsement of the United States Senator or Repre- 



234 Use Your Government 

sentative. The fish are carried to their destination 
in railroad cars or by messengers who accompany 
the shipments in baggage cars. During the year 
1917 the Bureau received 9,771 applications for fish. 

Fish are delivered to applicants free of charge at 
the railroad station nearest the point of deposit. 
For this purpose the Bureau maintains a special 
oar and messenger service, which is one of the most 
important branches of the fish cultural work. In 
the early days baggage cars were employed, but 
these have now been supplanted by an equipment 
which not only affords more safety to fish and com- 
fort to attendants, but makes it possible to trans- 
port the fish much greater distances and with 
smaller percentage of loss. 

Until recently the Bureau of Fisheries had no ex- 
ecutive duties in the enforcement of fishery regula- 
tions, although in its advisory capacity it exercised 
large influence over fishery legislation. It is now 
charged, however, with the enforcement of laws re- 
lating to the salmon fisheries and the fur-bearing 
animals in Alaska. (See page 235.) 

The Salmon Service, besides being charged with 
the enforcement of laws and regulations relating 
to salmon and other fisheries of Alaska, supervises 
the inspection of fisheries, canneries, salteries, 
hatcheries, and other establishments. It also makes 
such investigations and experiments as may be do- 




O 

bJD 



o 
ft 






o 






o 
O 



be 



^ 



Work Done for the Fur Trade 235 

sirable or necessary for the improvement and con- 
servation of the salmon and other fisheries. 

The publications of the Bureau of Fisheries con- 
sist of four series: (1) the annual reports of the 
Commissioner and various special reports on dif- 
ferent branches of the work; (2) the annual bulletin, 
which is made up of papers on miscellaneous sub- 
jects, generally of a technical nature ; (3) economic 
circulars, consisting of brief timely reports upon 
economic subjects; (4) statistical bulletins giving 
in tabular form monthly and annual statements of 
the quantity and value of fish and aquatic products 
landed at the principal fishing centers. (See page 
211.); 

(c) The Fur Trade 

The Bureau of Fisheries is charged with the en* 
forcement of laws relating to the fur-bearing ani- 
Bureau of nials in Alaska. It has entire adminis- 
Fisheries. trative control over the Pribilof Islands, 
their native inhabitants and the fur-seal herds which 
resort to them during the breeding season. The 
islands of Saint Paul and Saint George were set 
aside at a special reservation in 1869, the entire 
group following' in 1910, for Government super- 
vision. The Islands are the only lands to which the 
Alaskan fur-seals go for breeding purposes, and the 
administration of a fur-seal service is concerned 
with the care and utilization of the seals, the taking 



236 Use Your Government 

and marketing of the skins, the maintenance and 
education of the natives of the Islands, care and 
utilization of the fox herds and the protection of 
other animals found on the Islands. The sealing 
privileges were for forty years leased to private 
companies which paid the Government a tax on each 
seal. Since April, 1910, however, the Government 
has had in its own charge the business of taking 
and marketing seal skins. 

For five years prior to August 24, 1917, by Act 
of Congress, the killing of seals was limited to such 
males as were required for food for the natives, but 
after the date mentioned, killing on a conmaercial 
basis was resumed. 

It is the duty of this part of the service to see 
that the regulations for the protection of fur-bear- 
ing animals are observed, and to make investiga- 
tions in regard to the abundance, distribution, 
habits, food, diseases, etc., and the condition of the 
fur in different localities at different seasons. 

It is also the duty of the service to inspect as far 
as possible the furs offered for shipment from 
Alaska and to enforce the regulations concerning 
shipment. 

The Biological Survey is carrying on extensive 
experiments in breeding fur-bearing animals for 
Biological commercial purposes. These animals 
Survey. are kept in enclosures and various meth- 
ods of feeding and handling them are being tested. 



Work Done for the Lumberman 237 



(d) The Lumberman 

Eipe timber on the National Forests is sold at a 
fair price to the highest bidder. Anybody may pur- 
Forest chase it, but no one can obtain a mon- 
Service. opoly of it or hold it for speculative pur- 
poses. The fewest possible number of restrictions 
are imposed upon purchasers and only such as 
would insure the areas being left in the best condi- 
tion for future growth. Experienced woodsmen 
estimate the quantity and quality of National Forest 
timber and its approximate value as a basis for the 
price to be charged, the price always allowing oppor- 
tunity for a fair profit. 

Small sales of timber are made by forest officers 
on the ground to avoid delay. Larger sales are 
made either by the Supervisors of the forests, the 
District Forester, or the Forester, according to the 
amount desired. 

These sales of timber of small amounts for local 
use are encouraged so that the National Forests may 
serve the small lumberman and consumer; nine- 
tenths of the sales are for less than $100 worth of 
timber. 

The Forest Service collects and publishes statis- 
tics on the price of lumber at the mill and studies 
and publishes lumber specifications and grading 
rules. The experiments conducted at the Forest* 



238 Use Your Government 

Service laboratory are of great assistance to the 
lumberman. (See page 244.) 

Tbe Forest Service cooperates with private lum- 
ber land owners by furnishing advice concerning the 
best methods of managing and protecting their for- 
est holdings. It also cooperates with them and the 
states in protecting from fire the forest cover on the 
watersheds of navigable streams. 

(e) The Shipper 

Shipping The United States Shipping Board 

Board. was founded according to the Act of 

Congress approved on the 7th of September, 1916. 
Under this bill its functions are as follows : 

(However, the exigencies of war have placed upon 
the Shipping Board the obligation of providing ships 
for the transportation of troops, food, munition, 
etc., to which it has given its entire energy.) 

(1) To regulate carriers by water engaged in 
foreign and interstate commerce of the United 
States and for other purposes. 

(2) To make investigations as to the relative cost 
of constructing vessels at home and abroad; to ex- 
amine the rules under which vessels are constructed 
at home and abroad ; to investigate matters relating 
to marine insurance and the classification and rating 
of vessels. 

(3) To examine the navigation laws of the United 



Work Done for the Shipper 239 

States and make such recommendations to Congress 
as it may deem necessary for the improvement and 
revision of such laws. 

(4) To regulate operations of common carriers in 
both interstate and foreign commerce, and provide 
penalties for the violation of its provisions. Car- 
riers are required to file with the Board copies of 
any agreements they may have with other carriers 
or persons relating to the regulation of rates, pool- 
ing of earnings, number and character of sailings 
between various ports, etc. 

(5) Sworn complaints setting forth violations of 
the Act may be filed with the Board by a common 
carrier by water or other person coming under the 
Act. A method is provided for the adjusting of such 
complaints. 

(6) To investigate the action of foreign govern- 
ments with respect to privileges afforded and bur- 
dens imposed upon vessels of the United States, and 
to make a report of the result of such investigations. 

(7) Methods of enforcing the orders of the Board, 
whether for the performance of certain acts or for 
the payment of money awarded as damages by the 
Board are provided. 

Coast and The Coast and G^eodetic Survey is 
Geodetic charged with the survey of the coasts of 
Survey. i}^q United States and the coasts under 
the jurisdiction thereof, as well as the publication of 
charts covering same. 



240 Use Your Government 

This Survey and its charts include a full and com- 
plete knowledge of the coast, its nature and form, 
the character of the sea bottom near it, the location 
of reefs, shoals ^nd other dangers, the rise and fall 
of the tides, the direction and strength of currents 
and the character and amount of magnetic disturb- 
ance. 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey publishes 650 dif- 
ferent charts, distributing annually about 250,000 of 
such, which are used for the safe guidance of vessels 
not only by the Navy Coast Guard and Merchant 
Marine, but by privately owned vessels as well. 

The publications of the Survey consist of annual 
reports, charts upon various scales (including sail- 
ing charts), general charts of the coast and harbor 
charts ; tide tables issued annually in advance ; coast 
pilots with sailing directions covering the navigable 
waters; notices to mariners (published jointly by 
the Survey and the Bureau of Lighthouses), which 
are issued weekly and contain current information 
necessary for safe navigation. It has also published 
about 1,350 technical publications. 
Weather The Ocean Service of the Weather 

Bureau. Bureau collects through the cooperation 
of vessel masters and others observations at sea. 

The recent developments in the art of radioteleg- 
raphy has made it possible to transmit weather 
observations made by ships at sea to shore stations 
and from there by land lines to a central service. 



Work Done for the Shipper 241 

The WeatHer Bureau has organized a system of 
observations on vessels navigating the coastal wa- 
ters of the Middle and South Atlantic States, the 
Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The primary 
object of this is to gain information of sub-tropical 
storms which occasionally traverse the above-named 
waters. A similar service is also maintained on the 
Pacific coast. 

Warnings of storms and hurricanes are issued for 
the benefit of marine interests and are of important 
pecuniary value. Storm warnings are displayed at 
more than three hundred points along the Atlantic, 
Pacific and Gulf coasts and the shores of the Great 
Lakes, including every port and harbor of any con- 
siderable importance. Scarcely a storm of marked 
danger to maritime interests has occurred for years 
for which ample warning have not been issued from 
twelve to twenty-four hours in advance. The re- 
ports from the "West Indies are especially valuable 
in this connection, as they enable the Bureau to fore- 
cast with great accuracy the approach of those de- 
structive hurricanes which during the period from 
July to October are liable to sweep the Gulf and the 
Atlantic coasts. 

The saihngs of the immense number of vessels 
engaged in ocean and lake traffic are largely de- 
termined by these warnings, and those displayed for 
a single hurricane are known to have detained on the 



242 Use Your Government 

Atlantic coast vessels valued with their cargoes at 
over $30,000,000. 

The Weather Bureau also reports vessels passing 
exposed points on the Atlantic, Grulf, and Pacific 
coasts to the owners and also to the great shipping 
centers. 

(/) Scientific Commercial Investigations with 
Agricultural Products 

Bureau of Scientific commercial investigations 
Plant are being carried on by the Bureau of 

Industry. pj^nt Industry. 

Important among these are the investigations 
made of tobacco. These were commenced in 1898, 
when it was found that the average yield of profit 
per acre was comparatively small, this being due 
primarily to the growing of mixed and undesirable 
types, failure to follow sound cultural methods, par- 
ticularly in the matter of crop rotation and fertiliza- 
tion, damage to the crops from insects and disease 
and lack of understanding of the vital features of 
successful curing, fermenting and handling of the 
leaf. All of these problems are taken up, resulting 
in marked improvements in the old methods of to- 
bacco production. The experiments and demonstra- 
tions show that the yield and value of the tobacco 
crop can easily be doubled by combining well- 
planned systems of rotation with the use of proper 
quantities and forms of commercial fertilizer. 



Scientific Commercial Investigations 243 

Investigations are also being made with regard to 
the manufacture of paper with new plant products. 
Chemical and physical experiments are conducted 
in the investigation of plants to ascertain the best 
methods of treatment. Laboratory work in the 
manufacture of sample sheets of paper is done to 
demonstrate the value of process and product. 
Paper-making tests on a large scale are conducted 
in cooperation with manufacturers to demonstrate 
the value of material under commerical conditions 
of manufacture. 

Experiments are being made with European oil 
plants not yet used in this country for the purpose 
of securing vegetable oils. Possibilities of produc- 
ing oils from waste products, such as cherry stones, 
tomato seeds, etc., in connection with large canner- 
ies are also being tried out. 

For the purpose of securing more uniform drugs, 
the Bureau is attempting the standardization of drug 
plants by determining which of them are susceptible 
of culture, and wherever possible the Bureau is ad- 
vocating the use of special plantation drugs instead 
of wild drugs. 

Bureau of The Bureau of Chemistry makes 
Chemistry, chemical investigations of a varied na- 
ture concerning agricultural commercial products. 

Experiments with leather and canning are made 
to determine the effect of various canning processes 
and the disposal of cannery and leather wastes. As 



244 Use Your Government 

a result, useful information is drawn up relative to 
tlie purchase of leather and leather articles and on 
the composition of these materials relative to qual- 
ity. 

The paper laboratory makes investigations to 
demonstrate the more rational and economical use 
of paper and the factors which control its suitability 
for certain purposes as well as its durability. 

The waterproofing and mildewing of fabrics for 
farm use are being examined by the Bureau. 

The Bureau is also conducting experiments on a 
commercial scale regarding the scarcity of dyes in 
this country. 

Efforts are being made to improve the quality of 
rosin, turpentine and other wood products. 

All such work is carried out by the Bureau of 
Chemistry in direct practise, working in coopera- 
tion with the manufacturer. 

One of the aims of forestry is to see that the prod- 
ucts of the forest are put to their best use with 
Forest least waste. Through studies of wood 

Service. uses the Forest Service aids the wood- 
consuming industries to find the most suitable raw 
materials and to develop methods of utilizing their 
waste products. It also investigates methods of dis- 
posing of wood waste. 

A Forest Products Laboratory is maintained at 
Madison, Wisconsin, in cooperation with the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin. Here among other things the 



Scientific Commercial Investigations 245 

physical properties of wood are studied, such as its 
strength. Studies are also made at the laboratory 
of its seasoning and kiln drying, its preservative 
treatment, its use for the production of paper pulp, 
fiber board and the like, and in the manufacture of 
alcohol, turpentine, rosin, tar and other chemical 
products. It also develops practical ways and 
means of using wood which under present conditions 
is being wasted. 

The Forest Products Laboratory cooperates with 
consumers of forest products in improving the pres- 
ent methods of use; also in formulating specifica- 
tions and grading rules for commercial woods and 
materials secured from them and for materials used 
in the preservative treatment of wood. 

The information thus gathered it gives to the 
public through printed matter, correspondence and 
other means. Any one is at liberty to correspond 
with the laboratory about particular problems deal- 
ing with the utilization of wood and will receive an 
answer based on whatever information is available 
on the subject, free of charge. It is the policy of 
the Forest Service to secure to as large an extent as 
practicable the cooperation of the wood-using in- 
dustries most directly concerned with the subjects or 
problems under investigation. The desirability of 
cooperation and its exact terms will be determined 
in each specific case. 

The laboratory may on request examine the meth- 



246 Use Your Government 

ods of individuals or companies in handling forest 
products and to prepare plans for improving such 
methods, provided that the purpose is primarily to 
reduce waste and to obtain information of general 
value to the industries concerned. 

Ee statistics collected and studies made informa- 
tion is given. 

The Bureau of Chemistry does important work in 
cooperation with the producers on all raw material 
of food and drinks, from production to reaching 
the consumer, with the idea of a minimum amount 
of waste, such as the preparation of fruit sirups, 
vinegar, oils, canning processes of all kinds 
of food, etc. Studies are being made with re- 
gard to citrus fruits and the making of mar- 
malade, which are to be submitted to practical manu- 
facturers. Many such experiments for the utiliza- 
tion of fruits and vegetables are being made, for 
instance, potato drying for stock feed, the manufac- 
ture and utilization of potato starch, the prepara- 
tion of cider in concentrated form by freezing, the 
composition of grape juice and the preparation of 
sirup from sugar-beets. All these investigations are 
made in cooperation with the manufacturer and any 
information concerning them is at the disposal of 
the general public. 

The Bureau also does work with regard to the 
utilization of waste products not suitable for food. 
For instance, experiments of great value have been 



Scientific Commercial Investigations 247 

concluded on citrus fruits wMch are in some way 
imperfect and unfit for food. The results of these 
experiments have developed improved methods for 
making marketable products such as citrate of lime, 
citric acid, etc. 

In doing the regulatory work under the Food and 
Drugs Act (see page 331) the Bureau often discov- 
ers some defect in the making of a product. It has 
been found that manufacturers and dealers gener- 
ally desire to comply fully with the law and handle 
only pure and standard products. Many of them, 
however, owing to a lack of technical knowledge or 
suitable equipment, experience difficulty in reaching 
the standard requirements of the law. The Bureau 
in such cases, where it seems of universal interest to 
the public, works with the manufacturer to assist him 
in finding a method of making the goods without de- 
fect. 

Scientific and practical investigations are made of 
bee culture by the Bureau of Entomology. Experi- 
Bureau of ments are tried out concerning the best 
Entomol- methods of caring for bees during the 
ogj' winter in all sections of the United 

States, the development of bees, the diseases of bees 
and their distribution and control. 

Commercial bee-keeping on a large scale is studied 
and the results given to the farmers through publi- 
cations and the work of the Demonstration Agents. 
(See page 125.) 



248 Use Your Government 



(g) Development of Hydro-electric Power 

The water resources branch of the Survey main- 
tains about 1,300 gaging stations, to obtain daily rec- 
Geological ords of the flow of most of the impor- 
Survey. tant streams. These records form the 
basis of all plans for work or operations that 
depend for success upon the quantity of sur- 
face water available. Special studies are being 
made in both the Eastern and the Western 
states to obtain reliable information in regard to 
the quantity of underground water available for ir- 
rigation and for domestic use. Samples of both sur- 
face and underground water have been taken at se- 
lected points throughout the United States and have 
been analyzed, so that a great amount of information 
on the quality of those waters is now available. 
These analyses have been extensively used in locat- 
ing industrial plants, in determining suitable water 
supplies for boiler use, in selecting city water sup- 
plies, and in developing water for irrigation. In de- 
termining the utility of the water supplies of the 
United States, the Survey has collected much in- 
formation in regard to storage, power possibilities 
and the classification of public lands with respect to 
the development of their water resources. Special 
reports have been prepared in regard to disastrous 
floods, and the records of the flow of streams were 



Development of Hydro-electric Power 249 

extensively used in solving problems of drainage and 
navigation. 

The government permits private enterprises to 
develop the water power of the National Forests and 
Forest there is relatively more hydro-electric 

Service. development in the National Forests 
states than elsewhere. Permits for such enterprises 
usually run for a term of fifty years under certain 
conditions and may be renewed at their expiration 
upon compliance with the regulations. 

As an example of power development on the Na- 
tional Forests, power is generated on the Sierra Na- 
tional Forests in California for use in the city of 
Los Angeles, more than 200 miles away. 

(h) National ParJcs 

National ^^^ National Park Service adminis- 

Park ters the National Parks which have been 

Service. retained by the Government, of which 
there are seventeen in number as per table. 

The Government 'has realized that these National 
Parks, if rightly handled, will become a source of 
national wealth as well as a means to popular pleas- 
ure, education and inspiration. 

Besides promoting the building of hotels and 
camps enough to accommodate all the National Park 
visitors who want to come, the Government builds 
roads and trails throughout its National Parks to 



National parks in 
order of creation 

Hot Springs 

1832 

Yellowstone 

1872 

Casa Grande Ruin .... 
1889 

Sequoia 

1890 

Yosemite 

1890 

General Grant 

1890 

Mount Rainier ....... 

1899 

Crater Lake , 

1902 

Wind Cave , 

1903 

Piatt 

1904 

SuUysHiD 

1904 

Mesa Verde , 

1906 

Glacier , 

1910 

Rocky Mountain 

1915 

Hawaii 

1916 

Lassen Volcanic 

1916 

Mount McKinley 

1917 



Location 


Area in 
square 
miles 


Middle Arkansas 


U 


Northwestern Wyoming. . . . 


3,348 


Arizona 


1 


Middle eastern California. . . 


252 


Middle eastern California. . . 


1,125 


Middle eastern California. . . 


4 


West central Washington . . . 


324 


Southwestern Oregon 


249 


South Dakota 


16 


Southern Oklahoma 


n 


North Dakota 


u 


Southwestern Colorado . 


77 


Northwestern Montana .... 


1,534 


North middle Colorado 


398 


Hawaii 


118 


Northern California 


124 


South central Alaska. 


2,200 


250 






Nevada Falls — Yosemite National Park, one of the loftiest waterfalls 

in the world. 



National Parks 251 

enable motorists, horseriders and hikers to explore 
and study them intimately. It builds water and 
sanitary systems and it polices the parks with capa- 
ble Eangers whose duties also include the protec- 
tion of the wild animals from hunters and their feed- 
ing during winters of extraordinary snow. 

By opening, developing and advertising these Na- 
tional Parks the Government is creating for the na- 
tion at large an asset of great value. Before the 
war citizens of the United States were spending 
$300,000,000 a year in going to Europe, of which 
$50,000,000 were spent in seeing the Swiss Alps 
alone. Besides keeping much of this at home, the 
Government contemplates that some day these 
scenes of the National Parks will draw many mil- 
lions a year of Europe 's money to these shores. 



CHAPTER III.— PROTECTION AFFORDED 
THE BUSINESS MAN 

(a) By the Federal Trade Commission 

The Federal "^^^ Federal Trade Commission was 
Trade created in September, 1915. It su- 

Commis- perseded tlie old Bureau of Corpo- 
^^®°* rations which was the nucleus of its 

organization. 

The Commission is to the interstate business of 
the country what the Interstate Commerce Commis- 
sion is to interstate common carriers and what the 
Federal Reserve Board is to banks. The Commis- 
sion, therefore, has no power either over banks or . 
railways. 

Furthermore, the Commission is intended to be a 
supreme court for business, and as such its founders 
believe it will coordinate and firmly establish a na- 
tional code of business ethics. 

Its jurisdiction faUs under: 

(a) The Trade Commission Act by which it was 
founded. 

(b) Certain sections of the Clayton Act. 

(c) An Act to Promote Export Trade. 
The work of the Commission is as follows : 

252 



Federal Trade Commission 253 

(1) The Commission may act by direction as an 
agency for Congress and also for the President to 
investigate the abuses in commerce or trade and 
their relation to the public, as stated more specifi- 
cally later on in this chapter. 

For instance, in the recent gasoline investigation 
a resolution was passed in the Senate that the con- 
tinually soaring prices of this industry should be 
investigated. The result showed that the alleged 
shortage of gasoline was incorrect and prices were 
lowered through the publicity given to the investiga- 
tion and force of public opinion which foUoW^ed 
thereon. 

(2) To investigate on its own initiative interstate 
business or by reason of public complaint, when 
deemed necessary. The results of such investiga- 
tion may, in the judgment of the Commission, be re- 
ported to Congress, with suggestions for legislation 
intending to correct any existing abuses found. 

The Commission may be said to be the Govern- 
ment's representative of the business man, sub- 
jected to the wrongs of unfair competition by a com- 
petitor. 

As such the Commission receives complaints from 
any manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer regardless 
of the volume of business done. 

Before taking any legal steps the Commission in- 
vestigates the points in question. If these are found 
to be groundless, it so informs the complainant and 



254 Use Your Government 

no harmful publicity of any kind is attached to the 
accused. 

Should, however, the complaint appear to be justi- 
fied, the Commission, through its legal department, 
informs the accused of all the steps thus far taken, 
presents its evidence as to the truth of the accusa- 
tion and suggests that their lawyers or representa- 
tives get together with the representatives of the 
Commission to correct the unfair business methods 
of competition that exist. 

It should be stated that in the big majority of the 
cases the accused, when *' found guilty '^ and thus 
approached informally by the Commission, con- 
forms to the suggestions of the Commission and 
eliminates the unfair practises which have been em- 
ployed by him. 

However, if they refuse so to do, the Commission 
issues a formal complaint and for the first time im- 
plores publicity in the case. 

Up to this time, all steps taken by the Commission 
have been confidential and of a purely friendly char- 
acter. As stated, however, when once a complaint 
has been issued it is a matter of public record and 
is not only available to all the parties concerned but 
to the general public likev/ise, through the usual 
methods of publicity (the press, etc.). In the issu- 
ing of the initial complaint the Commission serves 
notice to the defendant that the charges must be an- 
swered in the regular legal manner. 



Federal Trade Commission 255 

The defendant is also informed that he will, on a 
certain date set, have a chance to appear before the 
Commission for the purpose of answering in detail 
the charges made against him. If the charges are 
refuted, the case is dismissed; if the charges, how- 
ever, are confirmed, the Commission issues an order 
to the defendant to '^ cease and desist'' the practise 
charged. 

The authority of the United States courts stands 
behind this order and these courts are empowered 
to receive any appeal the defendant might wish to 
make. 

(3) The Commission is empowered to collect and 
compile data from any corporation. The data may 
be used in various ways ; for instance, for the formu- 
lation of uniform accounting methods or dissemina- 
tion of more efficient selling methods to various 
trades, etc. 

In this way the Commission is able to assist and 
advise any trade that may appeal to it for advice for 
efficient and less costly methods in the carrying on 
of its business. 

Investigators of the Commission are sent out to 
the most important plants and houses of the par- 
ticular industry and all possible information is ob- 
tained. The economists of the Commission and its 
legal department are put to work on the complete 
data, which are compiled and handed to the trade in 



256 Use Your Government 

question by means of reports, letters and circulars, 
etc., as may seem most practicable. 

(4) If, in the course of such investigation or any 
investigation of the Commission, the results suggest 
needed legislation, the Commission recommends such 
legislation to Congress ; or if such an investigation 
uncovers illegalities, the facts are reported to the 
proper authorities for action. 

(5) The Attorney General may apply to the Com- 
mission for the readjustment of the business of any 
corporation charged with the violation of the Anti- 
Trust Acts, in order that it may henceforth main- 
tain its organization management and conduct of 
business without these laws being violated. 

(6) The Commission from time to time investi- 
gates trade conditions in foreign countries and with 
foreign countries, where such trade may affect the 
foreign trade of the United States. It duly reports 
these investigations to Congress, with such recom- 
mendations as it may deem advisable. 

(7) The Commission has jurisdiction regarding 
the question of ** price discrimination.'' Thus, if a 
manufacturer or concern sold goods to one party at 
a certain price, it would be unlawful to discriminate 
in price to another party provided that the condi- 
tions of the transaction were equal. 

(8) The Commission has jurisdiction also over 
the enforcement of the prohibition -of rebates, where 
such rebates have the effect to lessen competition or 



, 



Federal Trade Commission 257 

to create a monopoly in any particular line of com- 
merce. 

( 9 ) The section of the law forbidding * * tying con- 
tracts ' ' is enforced by the Conunission. This means 
that it is unlawful to make a contract for the sale of 
a certain article or line of goods with the proviso 
that the purchaser shall at the same time buy some 
other article or line of goods. 

(10) The Commission enforces the clause of the 
law which maintains that no person at the same 
time shall be director in several corporations en- 
gaged in interstate or foreign commerce having a 
capital of more than one million dollars, should these 
in any sense be competitors of the same business. 

The Commission enforces the law which forbids 
that one company should hold stocks of another com- 
pany if this should lessen competition between the 
companies concerned or tend to create a monoply. 

It cooperates with the various departments of the 
Government, supplying them, when necessary, infor- 
mation to assist them in their several jurisdictions. 
It should, however, be stated that any information 
given out by the Conunission is in combined figures 
and facts, not revealing any data concerning par- 
ticular firms, corporations or individuals. 



258 Us^e Your Government 

(h) B'lf the Federal Reserve Board 

Federal The functions of the Federal Eeserve 

Reserve Board concern a general supervision 
Board. q^^j. j^^ whole banking system in the 

United States, the Board being responsible to Con- 
gress and reporting annually to that body. 
In a broad sense its duties are as follows : 

(1) To appoint three out of the nine directors of 
every Federal Reserve Bank, also a minority of the 
directors of each Federal Eeserve Bank. 

(2) To require bonds of Federal Reserve Agents. 

(3) To suspend or remove any officer or director 
of any Federal Reserve Bank, the cause of such re- 
moval to be forthwith communicated in writing by 
the Federal Reserve Board to the removed officer 
or director and to the said Bank. 

(4) To pass upon applications for admittance to 
membership in the Federal Reserve System of State 
Banks and Trust Companies. 

(5) To suspend for the violation of any of the 
provisions of this Act the operations of any Federal 
Reserve Bank, to take possession thereof, admin- 
ister the same during the period of suspension and 
when deemed advisable to liquidate or reorganize 
such Bank. 

(6) To determine or regulate the rates of dis- 
count to be charged by the Federal Reserve Banks 
for each class of paper, these rates to be fixed with 



Federal Reserve Board 259 

a view to accommodating commerce and business. 

(7) To permit or on the affirmative vote of at 
least five members of the Eeserve Board to require 
Federal Reserve Banks to rediscount the discounted 
paper of other Federal Reserve Banks at rates of 
interest to be fixed by the Board. 

(8) To supervise and regulate, through the Bu- 
reau under the charge of the Comptroller of the Cur- 
rency, the issue and retirement of Federal Reserve 
notes, and to prescribe the rules and regulations un- 
der which such notes may be delivered by the Comp- 
troller to the Federal Reserve Agents applying for 
same. 

(9) To examine the accounts, books and affairs of 
each Federal Reserve Bank and to demand such 
statements and reports as it may deem necessary. 

(10) To require the writing off of doubtful or 
worthless assets upon the books and balance sheets 
of the Federal Reserve Banks. 

(11) To act as a clearing house for all Federal 
Reserve Banks. In this capacity it manages the Re- 
serve Banks *^Gold Settlement Fund'' of about 
$335,000,000 (figures of November 8, 1917) used for 
the transfer of funds between Reserve Banks on 
the one hand and between Reserve Banks and the 
Treasury on the other; also for the weekly settle- 
ment of balances due to the banks from each other. 
It also has charge of a fund of about $350,000,000 
standing to the credit of the Federal Reserve 



260 Use Your Government 

Agents, used for the transfer of funds between Fed- 
eral Eeserve Banks and Agents on the one hand, and 
between Federal Reserve Agents and the Treasury 
on the other; both funds are in the custody of the 
Treasurer of the United States. 

(12) To add to the number of cities classified as 
reserve and central cities under existing laws in 
which National Banking Associations are subject to 
the reserve requirements set forth in this Act. 

(13) To authorize the opening by the Eeserve 
Banks of accounts in foreign countries, the appoint- 
ment of correspondents and the establishment of 
agencies in such countries. 

(14) To grant by special permit to National 
Banks applying therefor, when not in contravention 
of state or local law, the right to act as Trustee, 
Executor, Administrator or Registrar of stocks and 
local bonds under such rules and regulations as the 
said Bureau may prescribe. 

(15) To issue regulations for the opening of Na- 
tional Banks in foreign countries or insular pos- 
sessions of the United States. 

(c) Bi/ the Interstate Commerce Commission 

The work of the Interstate Commerce Commission 
can be divided as follows : 

(1) The work for which it was originally author- 
ized by law, viz., the regulating of all rates of charges 



Interstate Commerce Commission 261 

of interstate commerce for passengers and merchan- 
dise with reference to common carriers (and certain 
Interstate steamship lines connected with railway 
Commerce companies), to telegraph, telephone and 
Commis- cable companies (whether wire or wire- 
^^^^' less). With regard to these the Act 

requires that all rates and conditions of trans- 
portation shall be reasonable, just and non-discrimi- 
natory. 

In order that carriers may charge uniform rates 
to all parties without discrimination they are re- 
quired to file their own rates with the Commission. 
Severe penalties are prescribed for failure to ob- 
serve these filed rates. 

(2) The Division of Correspondence and Claims 
has received and answered during the past year ap- 
proximately 50,000 general inquiries. 

It is one of the aims of the Commission to assist 
in obviating the necessity of formal complaints when 
there is any possibility of bringing about an ami- 
cable adjustment by correspondence. Thousands of 
complaints are satisfactorily settled by this expedi- 
tious and economical method. It has been found 
that many complaints can be disposed of by simply 
pointing out to the complainant the rights and obli- 
gations under the law. 

Should, however, an amicable settlement not be 
found possible, a formal complaint must be filed, 
upon which testimony is taken before the Commis- 



262 Use Your Government 

sion. It then decides whether or not the complain- 
ant is justified. If so, the carrier is informed to this 
effect and ordered to reduce the rate of charge and 
make a refund of any amount in question. 

In such cases complaints are filed in Washington 
and investigation held in any part of the United 
States most convenient to all parties concerned, the 
attorneys of the Commission being sent to the place 
decided upon. 

(3) The Commission prescribes the manner in 
which accounts of all railways and common carriers 
are to be kept. This Division was created to carry 
out the provision of the Act which empowered the 
Commission to prescribe uniform accounting sys- 
tems to be adopted by the carriers subject to the Act 
and to employ examiners to inspect the accounts, 
records and memoranda of such carriers. For each 
of the several classes of carriers that are subject to 
the Act a uniform system of accounts has been pre- 
scribed. In this provision is made for the proper 
accounting of every dollar of the carriers' receipts 
and expenditures and for the classification of all 
amounts received or expended. Such uniformity in 
accounting, it is maintained, is a public necessity 
and of value not only to the Commission, but also 
to shippers, investors, bankers and others. 

(4) Carriers are required to file with the Commis- 
sion monthly and annual reports showing the earn- 
ings, disbursements and other figures respecting the 



Interstate Commerce Commission 263 

operations. This information has been placed in a 
Department of Statistics containing all data regard- 
ing the financing of carriers. Under this heading 
can be found the earnings of carriers, their net in- 
come, their gross income, expenditure, material 
transported per mile, etc. This information is of 
special interest in railroad finance. 

(5) The Commission ascertains and reports the 
value of all the properties owned or used by every 
common carrier subject to the Act. 

(6) The Commission is authorized to investigate 
all railway accidents which result in serious injur- 
ies to persons or property and to make reports 
thereon with suggestions for avoiding the same in 
future. 

It is also charged with the enforcement of laws 
regarding the safety appliances on engines, cars and 
freight conveyances. In this regard it inspects the 
hours of service of certain employees in order that 
they may not work unreasonable hours and lessen 
danger of safety of passengers. 

(7) The Commission regulates the movement, dis- 
tribution and exchange of cars with a view to pre- 
venting a car shortage throughout the United 
States. 

The Bureau has one of the best railway libraries 
in the world, pertaining to all kinds of railway op- 
erations, regulations, etc., in this country and 
abroad. 



ii) 



PAET IV 
THE WORKING MAN 



CHAPTEE I.— PUEPOSE OF THE DEPAET- 
MENT OF LABOE 

On the 4th of March, 1913, Congress approved of 
the Act which created the Department of Labor. Its 
first section reads : 

*^The purpose of the Department of Labor 
shall be to foster, promote and develop the wel- 
fare of the wage earners of the United States, 
to improve their working conditions and to ad- 
vance their opportunities for profitable employ- 
ment. ' ' 

The Act shows no authority for the development 
of any special privileges for wage earners. It is, 
however, evident that Congress intended to look 
after their interests by means of an Executive De- 
partment especially devoted to them. There is also 
no indication that the Department was created only 
for such wage earners as associated together in 
labor unions. It was founded in the interests of all 
the workers of the United States whether organized 
or unorganized. 



267 



CHAPTEE II.-^EMPLOYMENT SEEVICE 

Department The Employment Service of the 
of Labor. United States grew out of the Division 
of Information of the Department of Labor, origi- 
nally founded to give information to landing immi- 
grants. 

It has taken over the labor requirements of the 
country on the farms (see page 59), as well as in 
the factories, mines and workshops. The work of 
this Division was originally confined to small 
branches which have now grown until every state 
in the Union has a Labor Employment Zone with 
headquarters at some central place in each state and 
sub-branches through that state. 

Under this system with its zone in each district 
it is possible under normal conditions to find a new 
position for a laborer within twenty-four hours and 
to immediately supply labor where needed. 

The zones of the Employment Service at the pres- 
ent time are as follows : 



268 



Zone 


Headquarters 


Sub-branches 


Maine 


Portland 




New Hampshire 






Vermont 






Massachusetts 


Boston 


New Bedford 


Rhode Island 


Providence 




Connecticut 


Hartford 


Bridgeport 


New York 


New York 


Buffalo 


New Jersey 


Newark 


Jersey City 
Orange 


Pennsylvania 


Philadelphia 


Pittsburgh 


Delaware 


Wilmington 




Maryland 


Baltimore 




District of Columbia 


Washington 




Virginia 


Norfolk 




West Virginia 






North Carolina 






South Carolina 


Charleston 




Georgia 


Savannah 




Florida 


Jacksonville 


Miami 
Key West 
Pensacola 
Tampa 


Alabama 


Mobile 




Mississippi 


Gulfport 




Louisiana 


New Orlea,na 




Tennessee 


Memphis 




Arkansas 


Little Rock 




Ohio 


Cleveland 




Kentucky 






Indiana 


Indianapolis 




Illinois 


Chicago 




Michigan 


Detroit 


Sault Ste. Marie 


Wisconsin 


Milwaukee 




Minnesota 


Minneapolis 




North Dakota 






South Dakota 






Iowa 


Des Moines 




Missouri 






(Eastern District) 


St. Louis 




(Western District) 


Kansas City 





269 



Zone 


Headquarters 


Sub-branches 


Nebraska 


Omaha 


Lincoln 


Kansas 






Oklahoma 






Texas : 






(Southern District) 


Galveston 


Houston 
Brownsville 
Laredo 
Eagle Pass 
San Antonio 
San Angelo 


(Western District) 


El Paso 


Del Rio 


(Northern District) 


Fort Worth 


Big Spring 
Amarillo 


New Mexico 


Santa Fe 


Albuquerque 

Tucumcari 

Deming 


Colorado 


Denver 




Utah 


Salt Lake City 




Wyoming 


Cheyenne 




Montana 


Helena 




Idaho 


Moscow 




Washington 


Seattle 


Spokane 

Walla Walla 

Tacoma 

Aberdeen 

Everett 

Bellingham 

North Yakima 

Friday Harbor 

Nocksack 

Lynden 

Custer 

Port Townsend 

Port Angeles 


Oregon 


Portland 


Astoria 


California: 






(Northern District) 


San Francisco 


Sacramento 
Fresno 






Eureka 
Monterey 



270 



Employment Service 



271 



Zone 


Headquarters 


Sub-branches 


(Southern District) 


Los Angeles 


San Diego 
Santa Ana 
Santa Barbara 
San Luis Obispo 
Bakersfield 
San Bernardino 
Calexico 
Indio 


Nevada 


Reno 




Arizona 


Phoenix 


Tucson 

Douglas 

Naco 

Nogales 

Phoenix 

Yuma 



It has been the policy of the Bureau to get em- 
ployer and employee into personal touch with the 
Service, as direct contact between either of them, and 
their Government is more satisfactory than inter- 
course through another person, the workingman 
feeling that his Government is taking a direct in- 
terest in him. In giving the following list of the 
various blank forms used by the Division it is pos- 
sible to recognize the manner in which the problem 
is handled: 

Application for Employment. To be used in ap- 
plying for work by persons who cannot make appli- 
cation in person. 

Application for Farm Hands. To be used by em- 
ployers applying for help in agricultural work or 
kindred occupations. 



272 Use Your Government 

Application for Laborers. To be used by employ- 
ers in applying for laborers or men of other occupa- 
tions except farm work. 

Application for Domestics, To be used by em- 
ployers in applying for domestic servants, m'^le or 
female. 

Application for Settlers. To be used by owners 
of land desiring settlers or tenants. (See page 160.) 

Application File Card. To be used in registering 
applicants for employment who apply in person and 
who are directed to work, or for those whom there is 
reason to believe may be directed at an early date. 

Identification Slip. To be fully filled out and 
handed to each applicant directed to employment. 

Letter of Direction (thich and thin). To be used 
in notifying employer when applicants are directed 
to him for work. Form may be used for any num- 
ber of men directed to the same employment or like 
work on the same day. Thin sheets for file and 
copy for Division at Washington. 

Card Announcement of Arrival. To be forward- 
ed with form Inf. 8 when applicants are directed. 
Fill in date of direction, address card to your own 
office. When returned note fact on your record and 
forward card to Chief of Division at Washington. 

Transportation Circular. To accompany all let- 
ters requesting an advance of transportation, also 
forms Inf. 2 and 3 when forwarded to employers by 
mail. 



li 



Employment Service 273 

Receipt for Advanced Transportation, To be 
signed by each employee who travels on advance of 
transportation, face to be stamped at top by trans- 
portation company and full accounting to be made 
of remittance ; then file. 

Copy of Receipt for Advanced Transportation, 
To be used for copies of employee's receipt; to be 
signed in duplicate by employee, one copy to be for- 
warded to employer and one copy to Chief of Di- 
vision at Washington. 

Brief of Active Opportimities. To be used to 
record active opportunities and all old opportunities 
which have been reopened ; convenient and time sav- 
ing method of quick reference to active opportuni- 
ties. 

Monthly Report of Applicants for Information, 
To be used to record all applicants for information 
concerning employment, by race and trade or call- 
ing, the latter regardless of the kind of work the ap- 
plicant seeks or will accept. 

Summary of Distribution. To be used in making 
monthly report of applicants directed to definite 
employment. 

Identification Tag. To be properly filled out and 
placed on employees directed on advanced transpor- 
tation where applicant cannot speak English. 

Baggage Tag, To be properly filled out and 
placed on baggage of all applicants directed on ad- 
vanced transportation. 



i 



CHAPTER III.— INFORMATION CONCERNING 

LABOR ISSUED BY THE BUREAU OF 

LABOR STATISTICS 

Bureau of ^^^ cliief duty of the Bureau of Labor 
Labor Statistics is to publish information con- 

Statistics, cerning labor from every part of the 
world among the people of the United States; es- 
pecially in its relation to capital, hours and earnings 
of laboring men and women and the means of pro- 
moting their material and social welfare. 

The Bureau publishes, by means of bulletins or its 
Monthly Review, the union scale of wages and hours 
of labor in various industries; the conciliation and 
arbitration work of the Department of Labor and 
other agencies ; the collective agreements in success- 
ful operation in well-known factories or industries; 
employment and unemployment in important indus- 
tries, and the operations of Federal, state and mu- 
nicipal employment offices ; the turnover and migra- 
tion of labor and the efforts of employment man- 
agers to stabilize it ; the employment of women and 
children, and protective legislation regarding them ; 
vocational education; industrial accidents and acci- 
dent prevention, and the importance of a uniform 

274 



Information Issued Concerning Labor 275 

method of reporting; occupational disease and its 
prevention ; all phases of social insurance, including 
the publication of workmen ^s compensation laws; 
the cost of living, giving the actual sale prices, 
wholesale and retail, of a large number of com- 
modities in representative markets throughout the 
country ; the labor laws of various states and a study 
of their administration; the work of state labor 
Bureaus, workmen's compensation commissions, and 
minimum wage and arbitration boards; court de- 
cisions affecting labor ; the proceedings of such con- 
ventions and conferences as have to do with labor; 
and many other subjects related to the work of the 
Department of which the Bureau forms a part. 

The publication of chief popular interest is the 
Monthly Review whose initial number appeared 
in July, 1915. This shows from month to month the 
current work of the United States Department of 
Labor and other Government agencies dealing di- 
rectly with labor matters. 

The bulletins of the Bureau, as soon as published, 
are concisely summarized in the Review and state- 
ments each month show the employment and concili- 
ation work done in the Department of Labor. Cur- 
rent statistics of immigration, unemployment, cost 
of living, and many other subjects are given. The 
Monthly Review keeps in touch with the work of the 
various states, with minimum wage commissions, 
factory and mine inspection offices, arbitration 



276 Use Your Government 

boards and other permanent or temporary agencies 
for investigating and reporting upon questions of 
interest to labor. It also devotes space to the work 
of foreign official agencies and bureaus, many re- 
ports otherwise inaccessible being thus made avail- 
able to the general public. Official reports both do- 
mestic and foreign are reviewed in this publication 
if they are important and relate to labor. 

Any publications of the Bureau may be had with- 
out cost until the supply is exhausted, after which a 
nominal sum is charged to cover the actual expense 
of printing and paper. 



CHAPTER IV.— MEDIATION IN DISPUTES 

Mediation ^^^ Secretary of Labor is empowered 
Service. to mediate in labor disputes and at Ms 
Department discretion to appoint Commissioners of 
o a or. Conciliation, his authority coming from 
the section of the Organic Act of the Department 
reading: 

**The Secretary of Labor shall have power 
to act as mediator and to appoint commission- 
ers of conciliation in labor disputes whenever 
in his judgment the interests of industrial peace 
may require it to be done. ' ' 

Primarily the Department of Labor must con- 
serve in industrial disputes the interests of the wage 
earners of the United States, such being its duty un- 
der the laws of its creation. However, the policy of 
the Department, though it executes its mediation 
and conciliation functions, as the governmental rep- 
resentative of wage-earning interests, is to do so 
without partisanship or prejudice, but with fairness 
to every interest concerned. 

Many strikes and disputes of first magnitude 
which might have entailed serious loss to the people 
of the United States have been averted or adjusted 
during the year. 

277 



278 Use Your Government 

An instance in point is that of the central Pennsyl- 
vania bituminous coal fields where a strike that 
would have tied up the entire field was threatened. 
This involved upwards of 75,000 workers. As a 
result of the good offices of the Department, the dis- 
pute was satisfactorily adjusted. 

In the Southeastern Railway controversy involv- 
ing over 40,000 mechanics, electricians, car inspec- 
tors, etc., employed on the Southern Eailway sys- 
tems, the issues in dispute were settled amicably. 

A stoppage of work in the coal fields of Alabama, 
in which 25,000 workers were employed, was also 
averted by the Department's efforts. 

Scores of trade disputes are handled by the De- 
partment each month. The policy of the concilia- 
tors is to secure adjustments before a stoppage of 
work occurs with the consequent loss in production 
to the employers and in wages to the workers. 

During the past fiscal year the Department has 
been requested to use its good offices in 378 strikes, 
trade disputes, lockouts and controversies in prac- 
tically all branches of manufacturing, mining and 
construction work. It has been successful in settling 
248 of these, 47 proved unadjustable, 42 were pend- 
ing at the close of the year, and in the remainder 
the Commissioners of Conciliation found that the 
matters in dispute had either been arranged before 
their arrival, that the employees affected had se- 
cured work elsewhere, or that state or local officials 



Mediation in Labor Disputes 279 

were making progress towards satisfactory adjust- 
ment. The number of workers affected directly in 
these cases was 473,739 and those indirectly affected 
334,225. 

Board of '^^^ Board of Mediation and Concilia- 

Mediation tion also assists in the settling of dis- 
and Con- putes. It was created by Act of Con- 
gress in July, 1913, and is an independ- 
ent Government establishment not connected with 
any department. 

The purpose for which the Board was established 
is to settle by mediation, conciliation and arbitra- 
tion controversies concerning wages, hours of labor, 
or conditions of employment that may arise between 
common carriers engaged in interstate transporta- 
tion and their employees engaged in train opera- 
tions or train service. 

Any cases where an interruption of traffic is im- 
minent and fraught with serious danger to the pub- 
lic interests the Board may, if in its judgment such 
action seems desirable, proffer its services to the 
respective parties of the controversy. 

In their work of mediation members of the Board 
visit all parts of the United States. Mediation of 
controversies arising in what is known in the rail- 
way world as southeastern territory, however, is by 
consent of the parties sometimes conducted at the 
offices of the Board in Washington. 

When a controversy such as is mentioned above 



280 Use Your Government 

arises the Board uses its best efforts by mediation 
and conciliation to bring about an agreement. 
Should its efforts prove unsuccessful the Board en- 
deavors to induce the parties to submit their con- 
troversies to arbitration. 

In the event of an agreement to arbitrate their 
differences the parties to the controversy select their 
respective arbitrators and the arbitrators thus se- 
lected endeavor to agree upon the remaining arbi- 
trator or arbitrators to complete the Arbitration 
Board. If it fails in this, such remaining arbitra- 
tors are selected by the Board of Mediation. Neces- 
sary arrangements for conducting the arbitration 
are made by the Board of Mediation, which also 
pays all expenses of an arbitration, including quar- 
ters for holding the hearings, official reporters, etc. 
When practical, however, arbitrations are held in a 
Federal building without cost to the Board. 

During the first year of its existence the Board 
amicably adjusted some twenty-eight controversies, 
involving directly some one hundred and twenty-five 
thousand railroad employees. This average has con- 
tinued each year. A single controversy may be 
based on from one to fifty or sixty different ques- 
tions involving from a few dozen to several thousand 
employees. 



CHAPTER v.— INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE 
SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MINERS 

Bureau of The primary work of the Bureau of 
Mines. Mines is to investigate the safety and 

health conditions in the mineral industries with a 
view to making recommendations for preventing fa- 
talities and accidents. 

The Bureau investigates the causes of accidents, 
publishing the result of the investigation with rec- 
ommendations. In connection herewith the Bureau 
is issuing an official list of permissible explosives, 
lamps and motors which have passed the Bureau's 
official safety test for the benefit of miners and mine 
owners. 

The Bureau has no right to inspect mines, these 
being under the jurisdiction of the police in the state 
where the mines are situated. The Federal Govern- 
ment can only make recommendations and ask for 
the cooperation of the mine owners and miners with 
a view to ascertaining how conditions can be im- 
proved. 

In this respect the Bureau is prepared to make a 
thorough investigation of safety conditions at the 
request of any particular mine. A confidential re- 
port is then sent to the owners concerning the ex- 

281 



282 Use Your Government 

act conditions that exist. In almost every case it is 
found that the owners are only too ready to get the 
opinion of disinterested experts. 

The Bureau has rescue cars in every mining dis- 
trict of the country. These are equipped with crews, 
experts in rescue work and first aid and they are 
called in whenever an accident occurs. While not 
occupied in helping the injured in case of disaster, 
they act as teachers of first aid and rescue work in 
the mining centers. During the past year they have 
been teaching the wives and daughter of miners 
first aid, so that gradually the whole population of 
the mining districts will he ahle to assist when 
needed. Each of these cars has a mining engineer, 
who also gives lectures on sanitation. Big improve- 
ments in the houses of the district have been the re- 
sult, the conditions under which the miners live gen- 
erally being somewhat primitive. However, the 
work that is being done by the Bureau of Mines in 
cooperation with the Public Health Service in teach- 
ing them to take every precaution to prevent epi- 
demics has brought about a great improvement. 
Public '^^^ officials of the Bureau of Mines, in 

Health cooperation with the Public Health Ser- 

Service. vice, are organizing whole communities 
in a fight against miners' consumption, which is so 
tragically prevalent in a few mining districts. It 
was found that 60 per cent, of the miners in one 
metal mining industry showed injury to the lungs 




Bureau of Mines Eescue Crew. Stretcher Drill, 




Bureau of Mines Eescue Corps entering mine following disaster, 



Safety and Health of Miners 283 

due to the inlaalatioii of irritating dust, 14 per cent, 
being also tubercular. 

A similar campaign is being waged against ** hook- 
worm/' which is also prevalent in some of the min- 
ing districts. 

Publications are issued by the Bureau of Mines 
on the subject of ^'Safety.'* These publications not 
Bureau of only apply to miners, but to men en- 
Mines, gaged in the various industries that are 
auxiliary to mining. For instance, the Bureau has 
published a number of reports relating to the safety 
of workers in steel mills, blast furnaces, etc., and 
has issued general rules of safety and sanitation 
that are applicable to all industrial workers. A 
pamphlet containing special rules on ^* first aid to 
the injured '^ has also been published for the benefit 
of the miners and their wives. 



CHAPTEE VI.— INVESTIGATIONS EELATIVE 

TO OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND IN- 

DUSTEIAL HYGIENE 

Public The Public Health Service makes in- 

Health vestigations relative to occupational dis- 

service, eases and industrial hygiene. Investiga- 
tions relative to this work are to a great extent of 
a scientific nature, research work being carried on in 
the Pittsburgh Industrial Laboratory. 

The result of these investigations and experi- 
ments, with recommendations, are printed in bulle- 
tins given to the owners of industrial concerns or 
those responsible, who in most cases are ready to act 
on the suggestions for the benefit of workers made 
therein. 

The Service makes surveys, visiting the stores, 
factories, workshops, etc., to investigate sanitary 
conditions, ventilation, illumination, hours of work, 
etc., and improvements drawn up by the Service. 



284 



CHAPTER VII.— COMMUNITY 
OEGANIZATION 

A Division for * ^ Community Organization" was 
established under the Bureau of Education on the 
Bureau of 1st of January, 1916, to furnish expert 
Education, assistance in developing the use of pub- 
lic school houses as community centers — neighbor- 
hood headquarters of civic, cultural, recreational 
and economic cooperation of adults and older youth. 

The work of the division may be said to fall under 
the following headings : 

The Promotion of General Interest. The mem- 
bers of the division since its foundation have pre- 
sented its principles before 162 general audiences in 
as many communities and before 26 conferences, as- 
semblies of educational and social workers. In ad- 
dition to this they have participated in forming two 
auxiliary private associations to supplement its 
work — the National Community Center Association, 
whose aim is to help in general promotion, and the 
Community Organization Board, whose function is 
to furnish temporary financial aid for demonstration 
where the economy of public appropriation for com- 
munity center development is not yet appreciated. 

Recommendation of Necessari/ Legislation. At 

285 



286 Use Your Government 

the request of officials, individuals and associations 
in various states, a summary of existing legislation 
relating to the wider use of public school property 
was made, and a model bill drawn to make provi- 
sion in consistent fashion for community center de- 
velopment. This, with an explanatory brief, was 
sent to Governors, State Superintendents of public 
instruction and chairmen of Senate and House com- 
mittees on education of the several states in which 
legislative sessions occurred within the year. Thir- 
ty states have thus far enacted laws looking to the 
increased community use of the public school equip- 
ment. 

Direct Aid in Commwriity Center Development. In 
order to furnish a national demonstration of the 
possibilities of community center development, the 
division has cooperated with local agencies in sys- 
tematically inaugurating this development in the 
District of Columbia. Through its cooperation a be- 
ginning has been made of the use of the public 
school house as the polling place, the community 
forum, and the recreation center of each local neigh- 
borhood, and the office of general secretary of com- 
munity centers has been established to coordinate 
the work throughout the District. At present the 
division is aiding in (the experimental establish- 
ment of community trading with the school house 
as headquarters, on the plan worked out success- 
fully in connection with the United States public 



Community Organization 287 

schools in Alaska. Another interesting direct serv- 
ice of the division has been its founding a National 
Motion Picture Film Exchange, collecting the films 
available in the various departments and furnishing 
them for free use in community centers. 



CHAPTER VIII.— SUPERVISION OF SEA- 
MEN'S CONTRACTS 

Tlie Bureau of Navigation of the Chamber of 
Commerce supervises the labor contracts entered 
Depart- iiito by the seamen on merchant vessels 
ment of engaging in foreign trade. This super- 
Commerce, vision is to prevent frauds upon seamen, 
to prevent their being left stranded in foreign ports 
and to enable them to know in advance just what 
work they have agreed to perform, the course and 
duration of the voyage, the fare they are to receive 
on board and their pay. These contracts are made 
in writing on printed government forms and are 
signed by a Shipping Commissioner or Collector of 
Customs as a representative of the Government. 
When the contract has been performed and the voy- 
age ended the seamen ^re paid off and discharged 
before the Shipping Commissioner. 



288 



PART V 
THE IMMIGRANT 



CHAPTER I.— CARE DURING POSSIBLE DE- 
TENTION AT IMMIGRATION STATIONS 

Bureau of The Bureau of Immigration of the 
Immi- Department of Labor is concerned with 

gration. ^|| matters relating to the execution of 

the Immigration Laws. 

One of its chief duties is the care of the immi- 
grants seeking admission to the United States. The 
arriving immigrants are examined and those tem- 
porarily detained are cared for at a series of large 
and well-equipped Immigrant Stations located at the 
ports of entry on the seacoast and places of ingress 
on the land boundaries. 

The largest Immigration Station is at the Port of 
New York and is situated upon Ellis Island. The 
term ^^ Ellis Island" comprehends a group of thirty- 
odd buildings, of the safest and most sanitary type 
which engineers have been able to develop. As far 
as possible every reasonable comfort and conveni- 
ence is provided for these temporary wards of the 
Government, large and well-aired detention rooms 
being set aside for them. An up-to-date hospital 
with every modern equipment is available for those 
who are sick. For children or adults there is also a 

291 



292 Use Your Government 

contagioTi9 disease hospital, with a special staff of 
officers from the Public Health Service detailed to 
this Immigration Station. Those suffering from 
temporary curable illnesses, which, however, forbid 
their entry into the United States, are treated or op- 
erated at the Immigration Station Hospital. 

Similar stations on a smaller scale are maintained 
at Philadelphia, New Orleans, Galveston, San Fran- 
cisco, Seattle and Honolulu, and new stations are in 
prepartion at the ports of Boston and Baltimore. 

The handling of normal immigration before the 
European war involved the welfare of approximate- 
ly 2,000,000 persons a year. 

The new Immigration Law, which became effect- 
ive on May 1, 1917, makes transportation companies 
largely responsible for the character and fitness of 
intending immigrants. By a system of administra- 
tive fines the importation of persons morally dan- 
gerous, mentally disqualified, or having contagious 
diseases is prohibited. This is a law of vast im- 
portance considering that up to the present time 
many European ticket agencies were merely inter- 
ested in selling transportation to the greatest num- 
ber of immigrants in this country without any in- 
quiry as to whether these persons would, or would 
not, be allowed to land. Under this new law immi- 
grants refused landing are refunded the cost of 
their passage. If a bond must be given while wait- 



Care of Immigrants During Detention 293 

ing for deportation, the alien may deposit cash at 
the post-office and draw interest thereon instead of 
being compelled to pay heavy premiums for surety 
bonds. 



CHAPTER II.— HELPING THE IMMIGRANT 
GET EMPLOYMENT 

The Division of Information of the Department of 
Labor is at the disposal of the immigrant in looking 
Division of for employment. The Acl? under which 
Informa- ^j^^ Division of Information was found- 
ed was worded to the effect that it was 
to gather information from all available sources con- 
cerning conditions in the labor field, publish same in 
various languages and distribute the information to 
the immigrants at the various landing places, if re- 
quested so to do. 

However, information might also be given to 
*' others'' who might ask for it, which gave the Di- 
vision the right to deal with all kinds of labor, and 
this formed the basis of the general employment ser- 
vice. (See page 268.) 

The beginning of the work was to gather infor- 
mation concerning labor and give it to those landing 
in the United States. It was found, however, that 
the bewildered immigrant in his unaccustomed new 
surroundings had but little use for these pamphlets 
of information thrust into his hand. The establish- 
ment of branch offices of the service at each landing 

294 



Helping Immigrants Get Employment 295 

port was then agreed upon as being infinitely more 
practical. To these branch offices the immigrants 
were told they might come for advice and help after 
their release from the Immigration Stations. In- 
stead of leaflets relating to information on labor 
gathered by the Department, the immigrants were 
simply given leaflets with an address to which they 
might apply in case of any difficulty presenting it- 
self to them. At the Government employment of- 
fices which are in touch with labor conditions all 
over the country (see page 269), the immigrant is 
given advice and assisted in obtaining suitable em- 
ployment. Interpreters are at his disposal and a 
complete system has been organized to insure the 
immigrant reaching his place of employment, should 
this be in the city where he finds himself, or out of 
that city, no matter what the distance may be. 



CHAPTER III.—TEACHING IMMIGRANTS 
CITIZENSHIP AND ENGLISH 

A Naturalization Bureau was created under the 
Act establishing a Department of Labor. In the 
Bureau of fii'st instance, its duties are to super- 
Naturali- vise the enforcement of the Naturaliza- 
zation. ^JQj^ Laws. These, broadly speaking, ad- 

mit to American citizenship aliens under the follow- 
ing conditions: 

(a) A five years' continuous residence in the 
United States, when holding a declaration of inten- 
tion to become a citizen at that time, which is dated 
two years back. 

(b) A good moral character. 

(c) Ability to write, and also to speak English. 
In its administration of the Naturalization Laws 

the Bureau cooperates with the public school au- 
thorities throughout the United States for the pur- 
pose of bringing immigrants at the earliest possible 
moment into contact with the Americanizing influ- 
ences of the public school system and teaching them 
the principles of citizenship. 

The Bureau, however, is interested only in those 
aliens who have declared their intentions to become 

296 



Teaching Immigrants Citizenship and English 297 

citizens of the United States and wlio have of their 
own free will taken steps towards this goal. 

The first effort made to bring the alien into con- 
tact with the public schools is to send him a per- 
sonal letter, and if he has a wife to her also, reading 
as follows : 

**Dear Sir: 

**You have taken steps to become a citizen of 
the United States ; therefore, the United States 
Government is especially interested in your wel- 
fare and the United States Bureau of Natural- 
ization is sending this letter to you, as it desires 
to show you how you can become an American 
citizen. It also wants to help you get a better 
position that pays you more money for your 
work. In order to help you to learn of the many 
advantages which will come to you from being 
a citizen of the United States, and to help you 
better yourself, it has sent your name to the 
public schools in your city, and the superin- 
tendent of these schools has promised to teach 
you the things which you should know to help 
you get a better position. If you will go to the 
public-school building nearest where you live, 
the teacher will tell you what nights you can 
go to school and the best school for you to go to. 
You will not be put in a class with boys and 
girls, but with grown people. The teaching 
which you will receive in the school will help 
you get a better job and also make you able to 
pass the examination in court when you come 
to get your citizen's papers. 



298 Use Your Government 

'*You should call at the schoolhouse as soon 
as you receive this letter, so that you may start 
to learn and be able to get a better job as soon 
as possible. 

**Very truly yours, 

** Commissioner of Naturalization.'' 
and, 

''Dear Madam: 

''Your husband has taken steps to become a 
citizen of the United States; therefore the 
United States Government is especially inter- 
ested in your welfare and the United States Bu- 
reau of Naturalization is sending you this let- 
ter, as you will also become an American citi- 
zen when your husband gets his full citizen- 
ship. In order that you may learn of the many 
advantages which will come to you from being 
a citizen of the United States, the Bureau of 
Naturalization has sent your name and your 
husband's name to the public schools in your 
city, and the superintendent of these schools 
has promised to teach you the things which you 
should know to help you in these matters. 

"If you will go to the public-school building 
nearest where you live, the teacher will tell 
you what nights you can go to school and the 
best school for you to attend. You will not be 
put in a class with boys and girls, but with 
grown people. The teaching which you will re- 
ceive in the school will make you able to have an 
American home, to help your husband in becom- 
ing an American citizen and your family to live 
as Americans live. 



Teaching Immigrants Citizenship and English 299i 

**You and your husband should call at the 
schoolhouse at once, so that you may both start 
to learn these things as soon as possible. 
*^Very truly yours, 

^^Commissioner of Naturalization." 

These classes were originally held for the benefit 
of immigrants who had applied for naturalization 
but whose application had been refused. 

The names are obtained from the 2,350 courts all 
over the United States where aliens wishing to be- 
come naturalized citizens may register, a copy of 
each of these declarations being sent through the 
Naturalization Bureau in Washington, giving the 
names of aliens, age, etc., and all details as to their 
families. 

The Bureau also sends each month to the local 
school authorities a card which gives the name, age, 
residence, occupation and nationality of each declar- 
ant for citizenship within the jurisdiction of that 
school during that month. On this card the date of 
the declaration of intention is written, and on the 
same card are blanks prepared for filling out by the 
school authorities, the cards to be forwarded to the 
Bureau after they are filled out. These reports show 
the attendance of the alien at school, his degree of 
literacy in his native tongue and English and the ex- 
tent of his previous education. When the reports 
have been tabulated by the Bureau they are returned 
to the respective schools. In this connection the Bu- 



300 Use Your Government 

reau lias drawn up **An Outline Course in Citizen- 
ship," to be used in the public schools for the in- 
struction of the foreign and native born candidates 
for adult citizenship responsibilities. 

The influence of this cooperation between the 
Bureau on the part of the Federal Government and 
the public schools, representing the state govern- 
ments, has been found in legislative enactments in 
various states. Such local organizations are work- 
ing with the Bureau by going into the homes of the 
candidate for citizenship to aid in his education and 
make it possible to give the immigrant an idea of 
the American home. Up to the present 1,754 towns 
and cities are cooperating with the Bureau of Nat- 
uralization through the public schools. 
Bureau of The Bureau of Education is also in- 
Education. terested in the Americanization of the 
Immigrant. 

The work done for the immigrant by the Bureau 
of Education in cooperation with private individuals 
is for the purpose of : 

(a) Promoting national, state and city interest 
toward the Americanization and education of the 
immigrant. 

(b) Acting as a clearing house of information of 
all phases of the Americanization of the immigrant 
through education. 

(c) Assisting and facilitating organization and 



Teaching Immigrants Citizenship and English SOI 

administration of public evening schools all over the 
country. 

(d) Facilitating instruction by providing all au- 
thorities and agencies interested with standard ma- 
terial, i.e. courses, text-books and methods. 

(e) Extending educational facilities for Ameri- 
canization in factories and private organizations 
and public institutions and into the homes of the 
immigrants. 

(f ) Mobilizing all the forces interested, including 
industrial concerns, private organizations and pa- 
triotic individuals in the movement of the American- 
ization of the immigrants. 

In the year 1914 investigations were made con- 
cerning facilities for the education of immigrants by 
the Bureau of Education. 

The next step was the distribution of more than 
one hundred and fifty thousand ^'America First'' 
posters, printed in English and seven foreign lan- 
guages, inviting foreigners to learn English by at- 
tending night schools. They were requested to write 
the Bureau of Education if there was no night school 
for them in their city or town. This poster was sent 
to all cities and county superintendents of schools, 
to the principal post-office, industrial establish- 
ments, educational periodicals and magazines and to 
organizations and individuals interested in the sub- 
ject. This distribution of posters brought large 
numbers of letters from all kinds of individuals, in- 



302 Use Your Government 

dustrial plants and institutions asking for sugges- 
tions in conducting classes, for text-books, etc., as 
well as petitions signed by large numbers of for- 
eigners for the establishment of evening school fa- 
cilities, which were passed on to the proper school 
authorities with suggestions and advice. 

A bulletin entitled *^ Standards and Methods in 
the Education of Immigrants*' was drawn up and 
issued for the benefit of all those concerned with this 
subject. 

As in the case of all divisions of the Bureau of 
Education, this division is used as a clearing house 
of information concerning methods of educating the 
immigrant used all over the country. 

A large quantity of printed matter, charts, dia- 
grams, photographs, in regard to the inability of 
the foreigner to speak English, total illiteracy, 
school attendance and factory classes is in the pos- 
session of the Bureau of Education for display. A 
set of lantern slides has also been prepared showing 
letters from immigrants, diagrams, statistics, etc. 
The following is a list of some of the more impor- 
tant publications pertaining to immigrant education 
that are available at the Bureau: 

** Public Facilities for Educating the Alien'' 
**How to Advertise Night Schools" 
**How Chambers of Commerce Can Cooper- 
ate" 
*^What Women's Organizations Can Do" 



Teaching Immigrants Citizenship and English 303 

**How to Organize an Evening School for 
Foreigners ' ^ 

*^How Industries Can Cooperate'' 
*^How Libraries Can Cooperate" 
*'How Foreign-Language Newspapers Can 
Cooperate'' 

^'What Some Members of the Committee of 
One Hundred Have Done" 
^^How Labor Unions Can Cooperate" 
*^How Sectarian Organizations Can Cooper- 
ate" 

*^How Patriotic Societies Can Cooperate" 
*^How Young Women's Christian Associa- 
tions Can Cooperate" 

'^A Call to National Service" 
*'Kecent Activities of the Division of Innni- 
gramt Education" 

^^ Women's Work for Women's Clubs" 
** Course in Elementary Civics for Immi- 
grants" 

A bulletin has been prepared giving a complete 
bibliography of all texts and courses now being used 
in teaching English to immigrants. 

This Division cooperates with organizations and 
institutions interested in its work by formulating 
programs and sending printed matter by corre- 
spondence and personal interviews. 

Surveys are made by the officers of the Division 
in cities and towns, at the request of those in charge, 
to lay a plan of what is needed in that particular 
vicinity for the education of the foreign element. 



S04i Use Your Government 

The question of school facilities in industrial 
plants has been investigated generally and sug- 
gestions formulated. The plants are responding to 
these plans in a manner that is satisfactory and 
classes are being established all over the country. 

On request the Bureau will send to industrial 
plants employing large numbers of foreigners a rep- 
resentative to make a survey of the conditions of the 
problems confronting the employer and employee. 
The proper educational facilities to meet the needs 
of each industrial concern are recommended and the 
local school authorities are asked to cooperate in 
every possible way. 

The amount of interest stirred up by the work 
for immigrants was so great that the Bureau of 
Education found itself without either sufficient 
funds or staff to cope with the situation. It there- 
fore appointed the ** National Committee of One 
Hundred*' to assist in this work. The members of 
this committee were selected from divers activities 
of national life and represent the principal agencies, 
public and private, engaged in dealing with the edu- 
cation and welfare of the immigrant and all sections 
of the country where the alien population is large. 

The functions of the National Committee of One 
Hundred are to sit with the Commissioner of Edu- 
cation as an advisory council in matters pertaining 
to Americanization through education, to assist in 
conducting ''America First*' campaigns and to pro- 



Teaching Immigrants Citizenship and English 305 

mote the development of co-ordinated national, 
state and city policies in Americanization. 

Each year, therefore, the Bureau cooperates in 
the conducting of a nationwide ^* America First'' 
campaign. This is directed toward stimulating the 
English language and a genuine allegiance to the 
United States. The campaign begins about Sep- 
tember 1st, just prior to the opening of night 
schools, and lasts about six months. The campaign 
owed its name to the ** America First" posters orig- 
inally published for the Americanization of aliens. 
It is made effective through publicity regarding 
night school facilities in foreign languages and is a 
specialized feature of the broader work of the Bu- 
reau, enlisting the specific activities of thousands 
of individuals and organized bodies. 

A sub-committee embracing all matters pertain- 
ing to legislation was appointed. This suggests 
bills for Federal aid, embracing Bureau appropri- 
ations and state Americanization enactments. 

The Committee of One Hundred, through its co- 
operative agencies, — ^namely, industrial establish- 
ments and chambers of commerce, civic institutions, 
patriotic societies, etc., — looks into the question of 
the life of the immigrant with a view to seeking 
methods for the improvement of his social surround- 
ings, his religious and spiritual welfare and the san- 
itary conditions of his home. In connection there- 
with the Division advises employers of large num- 



306 Use Your Government 

bers of foreign laborers, how to reduce their labor 
turnover, accidents, etc., by the improvement of the 
above conditions, and by teaching English, which 
also greatly reduces industrial difficulties through 
the fact that the workman is able to make himself 
understood in discussions with his foreman. 



PAET VI 
THE NEGRO 



CHAPTER I.— STATISTICS AND DETAILED 

REPORT CONCERNING THE EDUCATION 

OF THE NEGRO IN ALL PARTS OF 

THE UNITED STATES 

Bureau of The Bureau of Education has this 
Education, year computed what is perhaps the most 
constructive piece of work ever undertaken for the 
benefit of the negro race. 

To bring aid to the problem of educating^ 
10,000,000 negroes required that actual conditions 
be understood. Practically no statistics were avail- 
able. It was therefore necessary to gather exact 
data before suggestions for handling this question 
could be made. After three years of first-hand inves- 
tigation, involving personal visits to over 800 
schools, the Bureau of Education was able to present 
facts which transferred the problem of negro educa- 
tion from one based on *' guesswork^' to one of sci- 
ence. 

The report is in two volumes, abundantly illus- 
trated with pictures of school activities and charts. 

The first volume contains general discussions of 
the various phases of negro education. The eco- 
nomic, industrial and social conditions of the negro 

309 



310 Use Your Government 

are presented and discussed as a measure of the 
educational needs and the extent to which they have 
to be met. The historical background of the educa- 
tion of the negro is carefully presented in order 
that there may be no misunderstanding of the les- 
sons that have gone before. The work of the de- 
nominations, boards and foundations and other 
agencies interested in the negro is described in de- 
tail. Complete lists of the schools visited are given, 
with the necessary data as to teachers, attendance 
and financial support. 

The second volume contains individual description 
of all the private and higher schools for negroes, 
grouped geographically and in such a way that the 
schools can be judged in direct relation to the task 
imposed upon them by community demands. For 
each state in which the negro forms a considerable 
part of the population, detailed information is pro- 
vided, and the state's provision for white and colored 
children is critically analyzed. Each state is treated 
on its merits : where it endeavors to make adequate 
provision for the education of the colored people 
within its borders, the facts are so recorded ; where 
it is a question of unfairness and neglect, the facts 
are likewise presented. For each state, on the basis 
of the recorded findings, definite recommendations 
are made and a program of work on behalf of col- 
ored schools outlined. Similarly for each school: 
the individual school sketch, ranging in length from 



Report on Negro Education 311 

a few lines to several pages, according to the size 
or importance of the school, is regularly accompan- 
ied by a statement of recommendations for the im- 
provement of the conditions as revealed. 

One of the most difficult problems in negro educa- 
tion has been the private school with its representa- 
tives begging for funds wherever well disposed 
white people could be found to listen. The Bureau 
of Education has been constantly asked for reliable 
information regarding these schools, as to their hon- 
esty, class of work, etc., without being able to give 
reliable information. This is now made possible by 
the Bureau's report. 

The Bureau's study has shown that a great mass 
of schools are neither frauds nor high-class universi- 
ties, but struggling institutions needing aid and 
counsel in their gigantic task of introducing to civili- 
zation a race of 10,000,000 but 50 years from slav- 
ery. Such aid and counsel the Bureau of Education 
is now able to give. 

The need for agricultural and industrial training 
for the negro is clearly shown, but the report finds 
that the negro requires, as perhaps no other part of 
our population, the wise leadership obtained from 
college and professional training. The Bureau is, 
therefore, urging upon all schools that gardening be 
introduced, and that trade and industrial training, 
especially in agriculture, be provided in increasing 



312 Use Tour Government 

measure ; but that professional training of the high- 
est type also be insisted upon, that the race may 
have ** medical schools that will prepare health lead- 
ers for the race; law schools that will train men 
whose ideas for their race are above those now en- 
gaged in the practise of law ; theological institutions 
that will supply wise and well-trained leaders for a 
race whose emotional nature demands the highest 
type of spiritual guidance.'* 

Above all, the Bureau finds, the negro needs more 
and better education in the fundamentals; better 
trained teachers, longer school terms, more adequate 
schoolhouses and grounds, and, in general, financial 
provision for colored public schools that is more 
nearly in accord with the money the colored citizens 
pay, directly and indirectly, into the public treasury, 
and the importance of his children and his children's 
children to the welfare of the state and of the na- 
tion. 

It is to this task of bettering all the educational 
facilities for negroes that the Bureau of Education 
is at present directing its energies. The spirit be- 
hind the Bureau's work for colored schools is best 
read in the following words from the report on Ne- 
gro Education: 

*' Never was greater opportunity for service 
offered to any nation than that presented by 
the need of the American negro for an educa- 
tion that will fit him to undertake the respon- 




Picture of the Bureau of Education showing colored youths learning 
to master germs that menance the health of their race. 




Two colored children receiving instruction in the Household Arts. 



Report on Negro Education 313 

sibilities of life in the twentieth century. Never 
was there a more searching test of democratic 
ideals than the present necessity of a wise ad- 
justment of the hopes and aspirations of 
10,000,000 black people and the standards and 
principles of the 90,000,000 white people of the 
United States. 

** Democracy's plan for the solution of the 
race problem in the Southland is not primarily 
in the philanthropies and wisdom of Northern 
people ; nor is it in the desires and struggles of 
the colored people; nor yet in the first-hand 
knowledge and daily contacts of the Southern 
white people. Democracy's plan is in the com- 
bination of the best thought and the deepest 
sympathy and the most abiding faith of these 
three groups working with mutual faith in one 
another. ' ' 

Evidence of the constructive result of these stud- 
ies is shown in the changes which a number of 
schools have already made as a result of the sug- 
gestions of the Bureau of Education. Some of the 
schools have modified their courses of study to suit 
their incomes and the needs of the pupils, others 
have installed good systems of records and cost ac- 
counting. Plans have been adopted by a number of 
schools to emphasize cleanliness and order in the 
dormitories, with a view to increasing the pupils' 
appreciation of these qualities in their home life. 
Many institutions have for the first time understood 
the importance of school gardening, trained teach- 



314 Use Tour Government 

ers, and well considered plans for the buildings and 
grounds; and, in general, the colored schools show 
improvements consummated in a few months that 
would undoubtedly have not been possible in years. 




A typical negro house. 




What a coat of paint under the direction of the Demonstration Agent 

will do. 



CHAPTER IL— ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO THE 
NEGRO FARMER 

Almost from the very beginning of the demon- 
stration work much attention has been given to the 
States negro farmer who has always had access 

Relations to all the services of the Department of 
Service. Agriculture. Quite a number of negro 
demonstrators and cooperators were listed with 
white agents, especially in the thickly settled negro 
districts. Frequently when white demonstrators 
were named the actual instruction given on their 
farms was to negro tenants. Sometimes all of the 
tenants on the farm were assembled for instruction 
when the agent visited this demonstrator. It has 
been the policy of those in charge of the demonstra- 
tion work in the South to put on negro agents in 
certain localities where the negro population pre- 
dominated. As early as 1911 there were regularly 
organized seven states in the South with twenty- 
three agents for negro work, which number has now 
been considerably increased. 

It is a conservative estimate that twenty-five per 
cent, of all the demonstration work in territories 
where there is a large negro population is spent in 

315 



316 Use Your Government 

giving direct assistance to the negro farmers. The 
results of this have been very striking, as the negro 
farmer and his family seem to be particularly sus- 
ceptible to the system of instruction used in the dem- 
onstration work. Whole negro communities have 
been reached by the work of the agent, as is regularly 
observed by the improved condition of the farm and 
the farm buildings and live stock and the general 
appearance of the whole family. 

Clubs among the negro children have been organ- 
ized for about three years. These clubs are called 
Farm Makers' Clubs for the boys, and Home Mak- 
ers' Clubs for the girls. The unit of acreage for 
these Clubs is the same as for the whites, only one 
acre. The girls are encouraged to grow 1-10 acre of 
tomatoes and other garden vegetables, which they 
are taught how to can and preserve. It is suggested 
that the boys plant % acre in corn, % a^i'^ in pota- 
toes and % acre in peanuts, as these are three ex- 
cellent food crops. In a number of states special 
negro agents have been detailed to do this work and 
good results are being secured. 

In the case of the girls the main effort of the 
agent was directed towards the production and can- 
ning of fruit and vegetables and the introduction of 
simple home conveniences such as the screening of 
windows, painting and whitewashing of fences and 
similar household devices. 



CHAPTER in.— HOME ECONOMICS FOR THE 
NEGRO WOMAN 

The Division of Home Economics of the Bureau 
of Education from time to time has made investiga- 
Bureau of tions in the homes of the colored people 
Education, of the Southern states to find out exist- 
ing conditions and what should be done by instruc- 
tors to improve them.. 

During the year 1917 the Division held a course 
in institutional management during the summer 
schools at Hampton. The class was made up of ma- 
trons who had charge of the dormitories and board- 
ing clubs in private or public colored schools of the 
South. Representatives from ten states were pres- 
ent in the class, and the schools from which the mem- 
bers came ranged in size from the small boarding 
school with 15 resident pupils to schools caring for 
250 boarding students. 

The lessons included in the course for the daily 
two-hour conferences that were held for four weeks 
were as follows : 

**The relation of home economics to food ques- 
tions in dormitories'*; **What constitutes a well 
chosen ration : quality, quantity and variety' ' ; ' ' Cost 

317 



318 Use Your Government 

of feeding: food service, fuel, overhead expense''; 
^'The problems of marketing: method of selection, 
wholesale figures, contracts " ; ^ ^ The problem of stor- 
age"; ^^ Kitchen equipment: labor-saving devices"; 
** Sanitation in the Kitchen. Control of insect 
pests"; *' Sanitation in the Kitchen. Disposal of 
garbage"; *^ Table equipment and service. Table 
etiquette"; *^ Equipment of rooms"; ^^ Sanitation 
of dwelling and surroundings. Disinfectants"; 
**Care of halls, parlors, bathrooms, etc."; ** Laun- 
dry management, institutional and personal"; ** Kit- 
chen gardens: seasonable vegetables, flowers for 
table decoration"; *^ Working schedules"; ** Ac- 
counting and keeping of records " ; * ^ Cooperation be- 
tween matron and general teaching force"; *^ Disci- 
pline. ' ' 

This Division last year issued circulars giving 
outlines in homemaking to the supervisors of rural 
education in the Southern schools for the benefit of 
the colored teachers. 

A feature of the work for colored women in the 
South has been the organizing of colleges in con- 
nection with schools for their practical instruction. 



CHAPTER IV.— SCHOOL AND HOME GARDEN- 
INO IN CITIES FOR NEGRO CHILDREN 

Bureau of The Division of School and Home 
Education. Gardening of the Bureau of Education 
(see page 371) as far as possible does the same 
work for the white as for the negro children. 

Special emphasis is laid on the fact that the plans 
would do much to solve the problem of the idle ne- 
gro. A large part of the negroes in the Southern 
states live on the outskirts of cities and small towns. 
Their homes are frequently on large lots and sur- 
rounded with vacant lots covered with weeds and 
rubbish. During the vacation months the negro chil- 
dren roam idly on the streets, falling into mischief. 
Under proper direction of the school authorities 
they would make enough to support themselves on 
these lots and incidentally these negro quarters 
would be changed from places of ugliness to sites of 
beauty. 



819 



PART vn 

THE WOMAN IN HER HOME 



CHAPTEE I.— INVESTIGATIONS MADE AND 

ADVICE GIVEN CONCEENING THE PEAC- 

TICAL PEOBLEMS OF THE HOME 

States The Office of Home Econonucs is the 

Relations only office where the home is recognized 
Service. ^j^ j^g entirety. Although many of the 
other activities of the Department of Agriculture 
and other Departments affect the home the work of 
this office is organized primarily to help the house- 
wife. 

The investigations of this office form the basis of 
the extension work being carried on among the wo- 
men and girls of the farmers' homes. (See page 131.) 

The function of the Office of Home Economics is 
to study and investigate : 

(a) Food products, their preparation and their 
uses from every standpoint. 

(b) Clothing, household textiles and other house- 
hold supplies with regard to their economy and use- 
fulness. 

(c) Household activities, methods of performing 
same and means of reducing the labor connected 
therewith. 

The result of such investigation is to be spread 

323 



324 Use Your Government 

to the public through: cooperation with the other 
offices and bureaus of the Department and in other 
ways. Special research methods and systematic 
study of a technical and practical nature is given to 
the above subjects by the Office of Home Economics. 
Some of the technical studies carried on involve the 
use of a Eespiration Calorimeter, which is used in 
the studies of household tasks in order to determine 
how these should be performed without undue waste 
of time and strength, it being possible by the use 
of the calorimeter to find the exact energy expended 
during the performance of specific tasks. 

Special studies have also been made in rural 
homes of the time actually taken for the perform- 
ance of household tasks, with a view to testing the 
value of different household habits, concerning 
which experiments have been made in the labora- 
tories of the office. 

The practical experiments of the Office of Home 
Economics include studies of food and its prepara- 
tion, the combination of foods to form rational and 
well-balanced meals for both large and small house- 
holds, as well as ways of utilizing food to the best 
and most economical advantage. The digestibility 
of food products of various kinds also receive con- 
sideration. 

The results of the activities of the office are issued 
in forms of publications which may be divided into 
farmers' bulletins, which are pamphlets written in 



Advice on Practical Home Problems 325 

popular form and illustrated, treating of all prac- 
tical questions of home life, practical reports and 
professional papers for the benefit of teachers of 
home economics, leaflets and circulars issued to draw 
attention to points of special importance. 

By personal contact and through correspondence 
with housekeepers and teachers the office gathers 
very important information, suggestions for prob- 
lems, etc. 

All inquiries from housekeepers are given cour- 
teous consideration from the office, whether it be 
possible to answer their queries or not. Since the 
20 years this office has been established its work has 
increased in leaps and bounds, nearly 20,000,000 cop- 
ies of bulletins having been issued. 

To give an idea of the ground covered by the of- 
fice and its practical relation to every-day life a few 
specific instances of the large number of publications 
issued must be given. 

** Bread and Breadmaking in the home" describes 
in simple terms the general principle on which bread 
making is based and suggests the easiest kind of 
method for making yeast-raised wheat bread in the 
ordinary household. It also indicates how the stand- 
ard recipe may be modified to make different types 
of yeast-raised bread, and gives a few other recipes 
for bread made from other cereals than wheat. 

*'How to select foods," in a series of three pamph- 
lets, makes suggestions for obtaining the best value 



326 Use Your Government 

at a given price. This series tells very simply what 
the body needs to obtain from its food for building 
its tissues, keeping it in good working order and 
providing it with fuel or energy for its muscular 
work. It shows in a general way how the different 
food materials meet these needs and groups them 
according to their uses in the body. It suggests that 
by remembering these groups and having them all 
suitably represented in the daily diet, the house- 
keeper can easily plan attractive meals to meet the 
needs of her family without a waste of money or ma- 
terial. 

'^Food for young children^' deals with simple, 
clean, wholesome food of the right kind fed to chil- 
dren in proper quantities and combinations. The 
pamphlet states the principles that should govern 
the choice of food for children between 3 and 6 years 
of age, and makes specific suggestions for planning 
meals. 

*^ School Lunches'' tells what school children 
should be given to eat at noon and what foods are 
best for the school lunch. 

^^The farm kitchen as a work shop.'' This dis- 
cusses in a general way such subjects as the rela- 
tion of the kitchen to other parts of the house, the 
size of the kitchen, the finishing of the floors, walls 
and ceiling, lighting, ventilation and heating, porch- 
es and screens, permanent equipment of the kitchen, 
the kitchen as a laundry. Particular attention is 



Advice on Practical Home Problems 327j 

given to tlie arrangement of tlie kitclien stove, cook- 
ing table and other kitchen equipment so that the 
journeys more frequently made in doing the kitchen 
work are short. The importance of adequate equip- 
ment is pointed out and suggestions made for labor- 
saving equipment and expedience. 

*^ Preparation of vegetables for table" gives va- 
rious recipes for the cooking of vegetables. 

^^Eemoval of stains from clothing and other tex- 
tiles" gives a series of practical directions for the 
housewife. 

The office has issued many pamphlets with practi- 
cal and detailed directions for cooking and prepar- 
ing for the table cheese, milk, meats, fruits and vege- 
tables, and the canning of some of these foods. 

*^ Homemade fireless cookers and their uses" is a 
pamphlet showing the simple preparation of a home- 
made fireless cooker. This is a device for keeping 
foods so hot after they have been taken from the 
stove that the process of cooking will be continued 
and completed. 

It tells that a fireless cooker is best adapted to the 
preparation of dishes requiring long, slow cooking, 
such as breakfast cereals, soups, meats, vegetables 
and some puddings. Besides the bulletins and 
pamphlets, the Office of Home Economics has issued 
a series of food charts, showing the composition of 
foods. These food charts stand in the same relation 



328 Use Your Government 

to the solving of food problems as a map does in 
geography. 

It is interesting to know that last year there were 
issued 2,345,715 farmers' bulletins to the public. 

The Bureau of Fisheries has issued a number of 
Bureau of economical circulars giving brief ac- 
Fisheries. count of certain fishes and their food 
values, containing each a number of recipes for cook- 
ing them adapted to various incomes, which are of 
great use to the housewife. 

The failure of the meat supply to keep pace with 
the demands and the consequent considerable rise 
in meat prices have called attention to the necessity 
for finding other food supplies of essentially simi- 
lar character. The most important of these im- 
mediately available, and which exist ^^ already 
grown'' as it were, is fish. (See page 226.) The 
market for the standard variety of fishes for several 
years has been in proportion to the supply, but there 
are caught large quantities of fish which are not 
known to the public and are therefore rarely eaten. 
These fish constitute a supply available largely 
without additional effort other than that occasioned 
in packing and transportation, and the Bureau of 
Fisheries has been waging a campaign to secure the 
utilization of these wasted products of the sea and 
fresh waters. 

The Bureau of Entomology makes extensive in- 
vestigations concerning household pests such as 



Advice on Practical Home Problems 329 

Bureau of ^'o.gs, roaches, flies, mosquitoes, etc., and 
Entomol- issues bulletins for tlie benefit of the 
^^y- housewife determining the best way of 

getting rid of these. 

For the housekeeper the Bureau of Mines has is- 
sued a pamphlet on ^^ Saving fuel in heating a 
Bureau of house," which contains fundamental in- 
Mines. structions to every householder in the 

country who operates a furnace or a fire of any char- 
acter. The use of various kinds of fuel in different 
types of furnaces is also discussed. 

The Bureau has issued safety rules on the hand- 
ling of gasoline of value to every person operating 
a gasoline stove, and to automobile holders. 

The Bureau of Standards (see page 194) has is- 
sued a series of three popular circulars which are de- 
Bureau of signed to furnish standards for the 
Standards, household. These are entitled respec- 
tively * ^ Measurements for the Household," ^^Ma- 
terials for the Household," and *^ Safety for the 
Household." The technical features of these sub- 
jects are handled in a manner which is intelligible 
to the average householder. 

The general public may send weights which con- 
form to the standard requirements and have them 
verified by the Bureau for a nominal fee. The brick 
piers supporting these balances run down to the 
ground independently of the building and therefore 
do not take up the vibrations. The room has double 



330 Use Your Government 

windows and double heat regulation. Allowances 
are made for the buoyancy of the weight caused by 
the buoyant effect of the air. The amount of this 
buoyancy is carefully computed, since it differs with 
every different material of which weights are made. 



CHAPTER n.— INSPECTION OF FOODS, 

DRUGS AND MEAT— PURIFYING OF 

WATER 

Bureau of The Bureau of Chemistry is entrusted 
Chemistry, with the enforcement of the Food and 
Drugs Act which became effective on January 1, 
1907. 

The organization includes: (1) Inspectors who 
procure samples for analysis and information re- 
garding the manufacture and sale of food and drugs ; 
(2) chemists who analyze samples and make scien- 
tific investigations of problems relating to the com- 
position and adulteration of food and drugs; (3) the 
Board of Food and Drug Inspection, whose duties 
are to consider all questions arising in the enforce- 
ment of the Food and Drugs Act upon which the de- 
cision of the Secretary of Agriculture is necessary, 
to consider correspondence involving interpreta- 
tions of the law and questions arising under the law, 
and to conduct hearings based upon alleged viola- 
tions of the Food and Drugs Act. 

The enforcement of the law proceeds along two 
lines: First, products imported into the United 
States from foreign countries; and, second, prod- 

331 



332 Use Your Government 

ucts manufactured or sold in the District of Co- 
lumbia or the Territories, introduced into interstate 
commerce, or exported from the United States. 

In the case of imported foods and drugs no prose- 
cutions are made. The effort of the department is 
confined to preventing the importation of adulter- 
ated or misbranded goods and causing their reship- 
ment beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. 
This work is done through branch laboratories 
which are located at the leading ports of entry, 
where inspection is made of all food and drug prod- 
ucts that enter the United States. 

In the case of goods shipped into interstate com- 
merce, or manufactured or sold within the District 
of Columbia or the Territories, the procedure of in- 
spection is necessarily different. The inspectors 
visit all sections of the country to secure samples for 
analysis and such information as may be required 
by the department. The duties of the inspectors are 
as follows: (1) To investigate the wholesale and 
retail market and obtain samples of foods and drugs 
shipped in interstate commerce. (2) To inspect 
manufacturing establishments and secure informa- 
tion in regard to the nature of the foods shipped in 
interstate commerce. (3) To investigate the manu- 
facture and use of substances which are or may be 
employed for the adulteration of foods and drugs 
and methods of preparation which may lead to the 
damage or deterioration of foods and drugs, or to 



Inspection of Foods, Drugs and Meat 338 

the use of improper materials in their manufacture^ 
(4) To inspect foods and drugs imported at ports 
where branch laboratories have not been established. 
In addition to these duties, special investigations 
are frequently made by inspectors concerning im- 
portant questions of sanitation and processes of 
manufacture. 

Samples are shipped to the laboratories at Wash- 
ington or to one of the 22 branch laboratories which 
are located at the principal ports of entry and the 
leading commercial centers. 

When goods are found that are in violation of the 
law, the dealer or shipper is given an opportunity 
to appear before the Secretary of Agriculture, the 
Board of Food and Drug Inspection, or such official 
as may be designated, and present evidence in ref- 
erence to the question at issue. If after the hearing 
it appears that the law has been violated, the board 
makes the appropriate recommendation to the Sec- 
retary of Agriculture, who certifies the fact to the 
proper United States attorney through the Attor- 
ney General, together with the necessary informa- 
tion regarding the case. It is then the duty of the 
district attorney to prosecute the case in the United 
States district courts. 

The law also provides that adulterated or mis- 
branded food or drugs sold or offered for sale in 
the District of Columbia or the Territories, im- 
ported, delivered for export, or introduced into in- 



334 Use Your Government 

terstate commerce may be seized and disposed of by 
destmction or sale, as the court may direct. 

Bureau of The enforcement of laws regarding 
Animal meat inspection is carried on by the 
Industry. Bureau of Animal Industry. 

The purpose of the Meat Inspection Service is to 
eliminate diseased or otherwise bad meat from the 
general food supply ; to see that the preparations of 
the meats and products passed for human consump- 
tion is clean; to guard against the use of harmful 
dyes, preservatives, chemicals or other harmful in- 
gredients; and to prevent the use of false or mis- 
leading names or statements on labels. 

The work in connection herewith includes the in- 
spection of animals before and after slaughter and 
the supervision of all processes of preparation and 
manufacture, namely, the labeling of canned and 
fresh meat, and the preparation, curing, canning and 
other processes of manufacture. 

The Bureau also enforces all laws with regard to 
the hygienic and humane treatment of live stock in 
interstate commerce. 

Purifying of Water 

Investigations of water supplies are conducted by 
the Public Health Service and accurate records are 
Public maintained of all public water supplies 

Health in the United States. Scientific studies 

Service. q^q made of the pollution of streams and 




Government Meat Inspection. Applying inspection mark to inspected 
and passed hog carcasses. 








Kaw Oyster Inspection. 



Purifying of Water 335 

coastal waters in order that people may not contract 
diseases by drinking contaminated water supplies. 
In connection herewith examinations are made of 
shellfish beds, so that these may not be in polluted 
waters. 

The protection of forest cover at the head water 
of the rivers insures a regular, even supply of water 
Forest at all seasons of the year for the use of 

Service. towns and cities. Twelve hundred cities 
and towns have their water supply protected and 
kept free from contamination on National Forests. 
Important among these are Los Angeles and San 
Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake 
City, Utah ; and Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

The underground circulation of water through- 
Geological out the country is a problem which 
Survey. greatly affects the supply of water for 
domestic use. Investigations concerning this mat- 
ter are carried on by the Geological Survey. 



CHAPTER III.— THE MOTHER AND BABY 

The Children's Bureau was established by Act of 

Congress on April 9th, 1912. The law concerning it 

read : 

**The said Bureau shall investigate and re- 
port ... upon all matters pertaining to the wel- 
fare of children and child life among all classes 
of our people and shall specially investigate the 
question of infant mortality, the birthrate, or- 
phanage, juvenile courts, desertion, dangerous 
occupations, accidents, diseases of children, em- 
ployment, legislation affecting children in the 
several States and Territories." 

It therefore originally had no legislative or execu- 
tive power, and its work has been one of investiga- 
tion and scientific research in all that concerns the 
care and development of normal children, as well as 
of unfortunate and handicapped children. The in- 
formation gathered by the Bureau is placed at the 
disposal of the general public and officials interested 
therein. 

However, on the 1st of September, 1917, the Bu- 
reau was given the administration of the Child La- 
bor Act. This still remains its only executive func- 
tion. (See page 368.) 

336 



The Mother and Baby 337 

The work of the Bureau may be said to fall under 
the headings of publications, direct contact with in- 
dividuals, cooperation with public and private agen- 
cies, and administration of the Federal Child Labor 
Law. 

Owing to its administrative character, the most 
important part of the Bureau's work may be said 
to be the issuing of pamphlets in which are incor- 
porated the results of the investigations made by the 
Bureau. 

These publications up to the present may be di- 
vided as follows : 

(a) Pamphlets for the individual mother on pa- 
rental care and the daily care of her children. 

(b) Eeports based on personal surveys by the 
staff of the Bureau. These concern Infant Mortality, 
Child Welfare in Selected Eural Committees, Men- 
tal Defectives, Community Provision for Children's 
Play, and the Administration of State Child Labor 
Laws. 

(c) Pamphlets based on research other than the 
personal surveys by the staff of the Bureau. These 
are ** Handbook of Federal Statistics of Children," 
*^ Maternal Mortality," ** Child Labor Legislation in 
the United States, ' ' a summary of all Child Welfare 
Laws passed in the United States during the year 
1916, various material on laws concerning children 
abroad, a tabular statement of Infant Welfare Work 
in the United States, Birth Eegistration, Child Wei- 



338 Use Your Government 

fare ExMbits, Baby Week Campaigns, Children's 
Health Conferences, etc. 

The Bureau has direct contact with individuals 
through : 

(a) relations with mothers during the personal 
investigations by the staff of the Bureau. 

The Bureau's first personal investigation was 
made in Johnstown, Pa. This began with the birth 
records and it took in all the children born within 
a year. The homes of the babies were visited by 
the women agents of the Bureau, and the record of 
each child followed through the first year of its life, 
or as long as it managed to survive. 

Schedules were planned concerning health, feed- 
ing, etc., under the guidance of medical authorities. 

This is typical of the manner in which the infant 
mortality investigations of the Bureau are con- 
ducted. 

During the personal surveys in rural communities 
conferences for mothers are held. They are en- 
couraged to bring their children to these conferences 
for examination by a child hygiene expert. Advice 
is given to the parents on the methods of obtaining 
the best development for their children. No pre- 
scriptions are given, but parents are referred to a 
physician should a reason for treatment be found. 

A carefully selected exhibit is also shown to make 
the advice of the Bureau's representative more em- 
phatic. 



The Mother and Baby 339 

(b) Publications on Pre-natal Care and Infant 
Care for the individual mother. 

The Bureau has taken special pains in getting to 
the individual mother these pamphlets. A great 
deal of assistance is given the Bureau by the maga- 
zines and newspapers, hospitals, social welfare or- 
ganizations, and in some cases health officials also 
supply names to the Bureau. 

(c) The Bureau is accessible to general inquiries 
as to child welfare. These are either handled by the 
Bureau direct through its publications, or its cor- 
respondence, or they are passed on to the right 
channels. 

The Bureau cooperates with public and private 
agencies through : 

(a) The Birth Eegistration Campaign organized 
by the Bureau. The Bureau found that its various 
investigations were handicapped by the fact that 
very few of the States had complete Eegistration 
of Births. ' ' Birth Registration, ' ^ therefore, was the 
subject of the first bulletin issued by the Children's 
Bureau. In cooperation with the Federal Bureau 
of the Census, and with the assistance of many vol- 
unteer organizations of women a campaign for com- 
plete Birth Registration has been going forward 
since this first bulletin appeared. 

(b) Baby Week Campaigns. These are for the 
purpose of popularizing the work of infant welfare 



340 Use Your Government 

and improving the conditions of dhildren in the 
particular town or district in which they are held. 

In September, 1915, with the assistance of the 
Federation of Women's Clnbs, a nationwide observ- 
ance of Baby Week was promoted. 

The pamphlet on **Baby Week Campaigns" is- 
sued by the Bureau gives complete suggestions and 
programs covering each day for the holding of 
such campaigns. These serve as an opportunity for 
distributing practical literature published by the 
Bureau and other agencies, and Baby Week becomes 
many times a starting point for permanent infant 
welfare work. 

(c) The card index of all existing legislation af- 
fecting child welfare completed by the Bureau. This 
is of the greatest service to the Bureau, not only in 
the answering of correspondence, but also to the 
various states in codifying their laws regarding 
child welfare. Whenever requested so to do, the 
Bureau places at the disposal of the authorities in 
question a typewritten copy of the index to chil- 
dren's laws of that particular state. 

(d) The information constantly gathered by the 
Bureau through correspondence and the work of its 
experts is classified, so that it may be available for 
organizations or individuals interested in the pro- 
motion of child welfare. 

(e) The Library of the Department of Labor in- 
cludes a collection of books and pamphlets and re- 



The Mother and Bahy 341 

ports on all phases of child welfare both in the 
United States and abroad, many of which are not 
to be found elsewhere in the country. 

(f) The Bureau possesses two sets of lantern 
slides showing ** A Day in Baby's Life/' and ^^When 
Tom Went to Work," which are loaned free of 
charge to people in all parts of the country. 

The Bureau of Education is interested in the 
Bureau of question of Kindergartens for young 
Education, children. 

The work of the Kindergarten Division may be 
divided into the ^yq following parts,: 

(1) Statistical surveys, to show the growth 
of public, private and charitable kindergartens 
throughout the country. 

(2) Collection and study of data concerning 
the various methods of kindergarten training 
in the United States, the Kindergarten Division 
acting as a clearing house for the interchange 
of such information. 

(3) Correspondence with parents or guar- 
dians, giving information or advice regarding 
kindergarten work. 

(4) Propaganda work for the spread of kin- 
dergarten education. 

(5) Collection and study of kindergarten laws 
in the various states, and dissemination of in- 
formation regarding their practical workings. 

Although the kindergarten is recognized as a nec- 
essary part of a well-organized school system and 



342 Use Your Government 

1,879 cities and towns in the country have such 
classes, about nine-tenths of the 4,300,000 children 
between four and six years of age are still unpro- 
vided for in this respect. A statistical survey is 
made by the Kindergarten Division in order that 
kindergartners, superintendents of schools and the 
public generally may secure information at anj^ time 
regarding the progress of the movement in their 
own and other communities. This statistical infor- 
mation is published in the annual report of the 
United States Commissioner of Education. 

The Kindergarten Division is a clearing house of 
information concerning every kind of kindergarten 
work carried on in the United States. It seeks to 
gather information from all sources concerning kin- 
dergartens in the country, with a view to passing on 
this information to those in other states who might 
benefit thereby. 

A great part of the Division's work lies in the di- 
rect correspondence with parents who write to the 
Division for every kind of advice concerning their 
problems. 

To give an idea of the way in which this is done 
it would perhaps be best to quote from a typical cor- 
respondence between a mother of two little girls and 
the representative of the Kindergarten Division. 

**...! want to tell you how much I ap- 
preciate your almost personal letters to me. I 
feel that I can consult you about my little girls, 



The Mother and Baby 343 

'ages three and four,' and know that you will 
help me. My children will play for a few min- 
utes, say at work with crayons and then tire 
of that and do the same with everything ex- 
cept when they have live pets and their dolls. 
Even the latest additions, a tricycle and an auto- 
mobile, they tire of quickly. Is it their extreme 
youth, or is it a fault of my training or inherit- 
ance? The last seems almost absurd, but I see 
myself over again in that trait in my little ones. 
I do things, but if I can't finish quickly I lose 
patience. Can you help me ?' ' 

The reply to this letter runs as follows : 

*^ ... No child of three or four years can 
be expected to have his attention held by any 
one interest for a great length of time. That 
is the reason why in the kindergarten the pe- 
riods of play and work are made short. It is true 
of all child life; but as children grow older 
they can concentrate longer on one subject, on 
up to maturity, when they have sometimes 
learned to control their habit of attention. They 
should be permitted to pass from one activity 
to another at the age you have mentioned. They 
are just the right age for kindergarten and if 
you have a place for them to play out-of-doors 
there is a great deal of material that could be 
used for them. 

*'I will send you some suggestions for chil- 
dren's work and play. 

**.... In making out for your use the en- 
closed suggestions as to work and play for and 



344 Use Your Government 

with your little girls I realize the temptation 
that would probably accompany such an outline. 
For we are all inclined to try to do too much 
in the way of definite direction, and do not leave 
enough freedom and opportunity for ex- 
perimenting with material. 

**This summer, I am expecting the pleasure 
of working and playing with a four-year-old 
boy. My plan is to use the outline as a guide 
and then keep a record of his responses to the 
materials, and also of his progress in skill and 
ability to take the initiative. 

**It will give me pleasure if you can send me 
some account of the way your little daughters 
develop." The enclosed accompanied the letter. 

OUTLINE FOR ORGANIZED WORK AND PLAY 
IN THE HOME 

Taking as a basis the scientific fact that every 
child has within him instincts, tendencies, impulses 
which supply the starting point for the process of 
education, the task of parents and teachers is to se- 
lect material which will furnish incentives for the 
right growth of these tendencies. 

THE INSTINCT OP NURTURE 

Material for out-door use. Garden-bed for each 
child ; set of tools and watering-can ; plant seeds that 
will come up rapidly (lettuce, radish, nasturtium, 
sweet alyssum) ; feed chickens ; scatter crumbs for 
birds. 



The Mother and Baby 345 

Material for in-door use. Take care of bird in 
cage; take care of gold-fish. 

THE INSTINCT OF RHYTHM 

Material for out-door usei. Swing; see-saw; 
slide; skipping; marching. 

Material for in-door use. Piano or talking-ma- 
chine music, simple march time ; clap the time with 
hands, tap it with feet ; clap loudly, clap softly, then 
alternate loud with soft, also fast and slow. 

THE INSTINCT OF ARRANGEMENT 

Material for out-door use. Sand-box or pile, 
stones and shells ; string large beads, seeds, acorns, 
and macaroni cut in short lengths. 

Material for in-door use. Cutting paper by ship- 
ping or fringing; pasting designs; coloring with 
Crayola; designs in stencil patterns colored with 
crayolas. 

THE INSTINCT OF CONSTRUCTIVENESS 

Material for out-door use. Building-blocks, pieces 
of shingle, sticks ; clay for modeling, sand pile (mud- 
pies) ; play store. 

Material for in-door use. Building-blocks, sewing 
with coarse blunt needle and thread on burlap, make 
bags, holders, cushion covers. 



346 Use Your Government 

THE INSTINCT OF TALKING, TELLING 

Material for out-door use. Listening to stories, 
telling stories ; singing little songs, repeating short 
verses. 

Material for in-door use. Make picture-books; 
pictures in Stampkraft books. 

THE INSTINCT OF INVESTIGATION 

Material for out-door use. Blow soap-bubbles; 
wash and dry dolly-clothes; float egg-shell or wal- 
nut-shell boats on water. 

Material for in-door use. Do little bits of cookery 
and housework ; each child have little broom and her 
own dustcloth. 

It often happens that the absence of kindergartens 
in a community is due as much to lack of interest in 
and demand for this kind of training on the part of 
the public, as to the inability of school authorities 
to provide it because of limited funds, limited space, 
or other reasons. The Kindergarten Division is at- 
tempting to meet the need for general propaganda 
work for the kindergarten, particularly among par- 
ents and women ^s clubs, in the following ways: 

It has a series of articles on kindergarten methods 
for the home, for distribution among parents. These 
articles were written by mothers who were formerly 
trained kindergartners, and are intended especially 
for parents who do not live within reach of kinder- 
gartens. 



The Mother and Baby 347 

The Division issues a list of books for mothers 
written by kindergarten experts. If the books can- 
not be obtained from local libraries, they may be 
borrowed from the Library of the Bureau of Educa- 
tion. 

The Division also issues a variety of publications 
and popular leaflets on the kindergarten, copies of 
which may be obtained on request. They are as fol- 
lows: 

Kindergartens in the United States. 

The Montessori Method and the Kinder-, 
garten. 

The Kindergarten in Benevolent Institutions. 

Kindergarten Training Schools. 

Kindergarten Legislation. 

Montessori System of Education. 

Adjustment Between Kindergarten and First 
Grade. 

Your Children and Your Children's Friends. 

Why Should the Kindergarten be a Part of 
the Public School System? 

How the Kindergarten Helps the Grade 
Teacher. 

Suggestions for Arousing Interest in the Kin- 
dergarten. 

Kindergarten Statistics, 1915-16. 

Exhibit and Lantern Slides. 

Every Little Boy and Every Little Girl. 

Kindergarten Legislation in California; How 
We Secured it. 

Kindergarten Promotion in Baltimore. 



348 Use Your Government 

Programs of work for mothers' clubs and blank 
forms for petitioning school boards for kindergar- 
tens may also be obtained from the Kindergarten 
Division. 

To help promote popular meetings on the kinder- 
garten subject, the Division assists in securing 
speakers, and loans exhibits, lantern slides and lec- 
ture outlines. Its leaflets are also available for this 
purpose. 

Every possible help is given by the Division to 
organizations or individuals interested in securing 
better kindergarten laws for their states. To this 
end it supplies information regarding existing laws, 
suggestions for educational work preliminary to 
legislative campaigns, methods of securing support 
for a bill, and points in regard to legislative proce- 
dure. When requested, letters and literature are 
sent directly to individuals and legislators whom lo- 
cal workers desire to interest. 



CHAPTER IV.— EMPLOYMENT SERVICE-^ 
WOMEN ^S DIVISION 

Department The United States Employment Ser- 
of Labor, vice has a division for women's work 
which gives advice and is ready to find employment 
for women on the same basis as it does for men. 
(See page 268.1 



349 



PAET vrn 

GIRLS AND BOYS 



CHAPTER I.— WHAT THE GOVERNMENT 
DOES TO ASSIST EDUCATION 

The United States Bureau of Education was cre- 
ated by an Act of Congress in 1867 for the purpose 
Bureau of of ^'collecting statistics and facts as 
Education, shall show the condition and progress of 
education in the several states and territories, and 
for diffusing such information respecting the or- 
ganization and management of school systems, and 
methods of teaching, as shall aid the people of the 
United States in the establishment and maintenance 
of efficient school systems, and otherwise promote 
the cause of education throughout the country.'' 

The Bureau, therefore, collects statistics concern- 
ing educational institutions both public and private 
and publishes these in an annual report and in a se- 
ries of bulletins. Fifty or more of such bulletins are 
published each year. They contain not only the re- 
sults of statistical inquiries, but also serve to inter- 
pret educational movements and describe significant 
educational experiments. 

Titles of some of these recent bulletins will indi- 
cate their scope: 

** Education for the home"; ''School hygiene"; 
''Kindergarten in the United States"; "The Mon- 

353 



354 Use Your Government 

tessori Method''; ** Rural school houses and 
grounds"; ^^ Vocational guidance''; **The public 
school system in Gary, Ind. " ; ^ ^ Consolidation of ru- 
ral schools"; ** Music in public schools"; **The 
teaching of community civics"; '* Vocational secon- 
dary education"; ^^Open air schools"; ^^ Adult il- 
literacy"; *^ Negro education"; ^* Gardening in ele- 
mentary city schools"; ^^Pineneedle basketry"; 
** Three short courses in homemaking." 

Many of these bulletins are illustrated and are 
distributed free up to a certain quantity and then 
sold at a nominal fee, which is never more than 15 
cents. 

There have also been developed a series of brief 
duplicated circulars dealing with topics in various 
fields of education, more than 1,000,000 of which are 
distributed annually. 

As the Bureau of Education is primarily a clear- 
ing house of information concerning every possible 
angle of education both in the United States and 
abroad, the printed material issued and circularized 
is as much as possible in conformity with a number 
of requests for information coming into the Bureau 
on certain subjects. 

Bureau of The work of the Bureau of Education 
Education, in connection with city schools is car- 
ried on in cooperation with the various state sys- 
tems, the Federal authorities assisting the state of- 
ficers when asked so to do. 



How the Government Assists Education 355 

The work of this Division may be said to fall un- 
der the following headings : 

(a) It acts as a clearing house of information on 
every phase of city school work all over the country. 

(b) At the invitation of the authorities in charge 
it holds surveys of towns and cities, which are con- 
ducted on the same plans as those of the rural 
schools. (See page 121.) In connection herewith it 
gives standard tests to pupils, comparing the results 
obtained with the results of other cities. The officers 
of the Bureau go into the classrooms and observe 
the methods of teaching carried on there. 

(c) The Division gives advice concerning the 
training of teachers in service. 

(d) It criticizes courses of study upon request. 

(e) It sends out bulletins and printed matter con- 
nected with phases of city school life, for instance, 
school administration in small cities and compulsory 
education in different states, suggested improve- 
ments carried out by other states, etc. 

(f ) It sends out regular circular letters concern- 
ing the work done in city schools, so as to suggest 
improvements. 

(g) It goes into teachers' institutes, giving in- 
struction to teachers. 

(h) It gives lectures to county superintendents, 
and at city conventions on the problems of school ad- 
ministration. 

(i) It possesses complete information concerning 



356 Use Your Government 

the laws of schools and libraries, issuing legislative 
circulars designed to keep the men connected with 
schools and legislators informed as to the move- 
ments and progress in school legislation during the 
session of the legislatures. 

As hardly more than half of the thousand or more 
institutions calling themselves colleges do work that 
Bureau of is even of minimum college grade, the 
Education, need for definite information about col- 
leges and universities led to the appointment of a 
specialist in higher education in the Bureau of Edu- 
cation. One of the first tasks undertaken by this 
officer was an investigation of the claims of the va- 
rious colleges preliminary to a classification based on 
admission requirements, graduation standards, and 
quality of work accomplished. At the present time 
the activities of the Bureau in higher education are 
confined mainly to listing colleges, answering in- 
quiries of parents and others who seek authoritative 
information about the institutions to which they pro- 
pose to send their boys and girls, and to making edu- 
cational surveys in which the systems of higher edu- 
cation in one state may be examined and compared 
with those of other states. 

Lists of accredited high schools are prepared and 
published by the Bureau, so that the university of- 
ficer may know whether the school an applicant 
comes from is acceptably regarded by those best ac- 
quainted with it, and so that the parent may know 



How the Government Assists Education 357 

that his boy or girl is in a school that is considered 
up to standard. 

In its surveys of higher educational institutions 
the Bureau considers particularly the question of 
duplication of effort, so that every citizen in a state 
whose colleges are surveyed may know whether the 
money his state appropriates is being spent to best 
advantage or scattered ineffectively among a num- 
ber of institutions. 

Bureau of Girls and boys interested in taking up 
Education, high education at the European univer- 
sities can apply to the ^^ Foreign Department'^ of the 
Bureau of Education for advice. 

This department also keeps educators informed 
of new methods of education in various foreign 
countries. This is done by publishing a chapter in 
the Commissioner's annual report, and by issuing 
regular bulletins based on the questions most con- 
stantly asked of the Bureau. 

The Bureau of Education has established recently 
a Division of Commercial Education. This Division 
Bureau of is prepared to investigate local, state 
Education, and national educational opportunities 
for training for business, domestic and foreign; to 
recommend study courses and to furnish informa- 
tion that relates to this phase of instruction ; to co- 
operate through advice and counsel in the establish- 
ment of a proper relation between the opportunity 
for training and the needs of business ; and to pro- 



358 Use Tour Government 

mote and further business in general by such meas- 
ures as will ensure efficient business methods, a wise 
trade policy and an ever-increasing volume of trade. 
Federal ^^ ^^^ 22nd of February, 1917, there 

Board for was passed the Smith-Hughes Act, which 
Vocational placed almost $2,000,000 a year (to be 

uca ion. jj^(jj.gagg|j QSioh year) in the hands of the 
Federal Board for Vocational Education, to improve 
the efficiency of the working people of the country. 

This bill was the result of an investigation made 
by * ' The Commission on National Aid to Vocational 
Education,^' created by Act of Congress on Janu- 
ary 20, 1914. It authorized the President of the 
United States to appoint a commission of nine mem- 
bers *Ho consider the subject of National Aid to Vo- 
cational Education and report their findings and 
recommendations not later than June 1, nexf 

The scope of its work was to fall under the fol- 
lowing six headings : 

(1) To what extent is there a need for Vocational 
Education in the United States? 

(2) Is there a need for national grants stimulat- 
ing the States to give Vocational Education? 

(3) "What kind or forms of Vocational Education 
should be stimulated by national grants? 

(4) How far can the Federal Government aid, 
through expert knowledge. Vocational Education in 
the various states? 

(5) To what extent could the Federal Government 



How the Government Assists Education 859 

aid tlie states through national grants for Vocation- 
al Education? 

(6) Under what conditions should grants to the 
States for Vocational Education be made? 

At the termination of its investigation the Com- 
mission found that there was an urgent demand to 
prepare workers for the more common occupations 
in which the great mass of people find useful em- 
ployment. 

They also maintained that there was a great need 
of providing Vocational Education of this character 
for every part of the United States, in order to con- 
serve and develop the country's resources; to pro- 
mote a more productive and prosperous agriculture ; 
to prevent the waste of human labor; to supplement 
apprenticeship ; to increase the wage-earning power 
of productive workers; to meet the increasing de- 
mand for trained workmen, and to offset the in- 
creased cost of living. 

It was finally concluded that Vocational Educa- 
tion was necessary to national prosperity, and to 
keep the country's position in the markets of the 
world. 

It was recognized by the Commission that train- 
ing for all the different vocations is of importance. 
However, agriculture, trade, and industrial educa- 
tion was most needed at the present time. 

Home Economics, although not recommended by 



360 Use Your Government 

tlie Commission, was afterwards provided for in the 
bill. 

The Commission recommended: 

That national grants should be given to the states 
for the purpose of stimulating Vocational Educa- 
tion in agriculture and in the trades and industries. 

That grants should be given in two forms : 

(a) For the training of teachers of agriculture, 
trade and industrial, and home economics subjects. 

(b) For the paying of part of the salaries of 
teachers, supervisors, and directors of agricultural 
subjects, and of teachers of trades and industrial 
subjects. 

The schools coming under this grant were to be 
aided in part by the national government, and were 
to be entirely supported and controlled by the pub- 
lic, the education given in them being of less than 
college grade. They were to prepare boys and girls 
of over 14 years of age for useful or profitable em- 
ployment in agriculture, trades and industries. 

In order to meet a variety of needs, the schools 
were to be of three types : 

(a) All-day schools, in which practically half of 
the time could be given to actual practise for a vo- 
cation on a useful or productive basis. 

(b) Half-time schools for young workers over 14 
years of age which should extend either their voca- 
tional knowledge or give preparation for entrance 



How the Government Assists Ed/ucation 361 

to a vocation or extend the general civic or voca- 
tional intelligence of the pupil. 

(0) Evening schools to extend the vocational 
knowledge of mature workers over 16 years of age. 
So much for the recommendations. 

The Smith-Hughes Act decreed that the money of 
the Federal Board for Vocational Education was to 
be used: 

(1) For cooperating with the states and paying 
salaries of teachers of agricultural subjects. 

(2) For the payment of salaries of teachers for 
trades, industrial and home economics subjects. 

(3) To pay for the training of teachers on all 
these subjects. 

The Act establishes a cooperative agreement be- 
tween the Federal Government and the state. Every 
dollar of Federal money appropriated has to be met 
by an equal amount by the states, local community, 
or both, in which it is to be sent. In this way the 
states and the nation unite for the common purpose 
in view. 

The law provides for the appointment by the 
President of this Federal Board for Vocational Edu- 
cation to represent the interests of the Federal Gov- 
ernment. It consists of the Secretary of Agricul- 
ture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of 
Labor, and the Commissioner of Education, together 
with three citizens who represent respectively the 
manufacturing and commercial interests of the na- 



062 Use Your Government 

tion, the agricultural interests and the labor inter- 
ests. 

The Act further provides that state boards shall 
be created through the state legislators and shall 
consist of not less than three members working in 
cooperation with the Federal Board. 

The state boards have to lay before the Federal 
Board outlines of plans by which it is proposed to 
conduct their Vocational Educati n activities. 
These plans the Federal Board must carefully ex- 
amine. If it finds them to be in accordance with the 
law, it authorizes the money apportioned to the va- 
rious states to be paid, this being regulated on a 
scale of population. 

The Bureau of Education since 1912 has a special 
fund gradually increasing for the investigation and 
Bureau of promotion of industrial education. The 
Education, work of the Division of *^ Vocational 
Education '' between 1914 and 1917 was one of the 
agencies which assisted in the establishing of the 
Federal Board for Vocational Education. (See 
page 358.) 

The Bureau of Education is continuing its work 
of aiding states and communities to introduce pro- 
grams of vocational work, outlining plans for the 
training of teachers of such subjects, holding con- 
ferences on the methods and practise of manual 
training and vocational education, and carrying on 
educational surveys wherein local industrial condi- 



How the Government Assists Education 363 

tions are studied as a basis for suitable vocational 
training. 

States ^^^ Division of ** Agricultural In- 

Relations struction in Schools'' is occupied with 
Service. f]2e teaching of agriculture throughout 
the country. Its work is done with the rural and 
secondary schools and may be divided as follows: 
For the rural schools : 

(1) It outlines states' courses in agriculture, co- 
operating with: 

(a) The State Department of Education. 

(b) The State College of Agriculture. 

(2) It prepares publications: 

(a) On general problems of teaching agricul- 

ture. 

(b) On specific subjects such as corn, cotton, 

tomatoes, poultry, etc. 

(3) It prepares statements on how to use farmers' 
bulletins. 

(4) It gives assistance to : 

(a) Supervising school officers. 

(b) School training teachers of elementary ag- 

riculture. 

(5) It assists individual teachers through corre- 
spondence. 

For the secondary schools : 

(1) It organizes materials: 

(a) Courses of study. 

(b) Lessons, plans and outlines. 



364 Use Your Government 

(2) It draws up publications for teacliers: 

(a) Department bulletins. 

(b) A series of documents on agricultural edu- 

cation. 

(3) It allows the use of materials: 

(a) Lantern slides loaned on agricultural sub- 
jects for educational purposes. 

(b) Furnishes lists of references. 

(4) It trains teachers by: 

(a) College training courses. 

(b) Aiding teachers in service. 

(5) It studies special problems in: 

(a) Use of land. 

(b) Local extension work. 

The Division publishes for the benefit of teachers 
a complete list of publications issued by the Depart- 
ment of Agriculture which might be useful to them 
in their work. 

Its officers hold conferences not only with those 
training for the teaching of agriculture in schools 
and colleges, but also with those training to be su- 
pervisors of such teachers. 

The Division has issued a course of elementary 
agriculture for the Wisconsin rural schools. The 
lessons are divided month by month and applicable 
to the agricultural conditions in Wisconsin existing 
for that particular month. For instance, under Sep- 
tember we find : 

Seed corn selection. Curing seed corn. Wiscon- 
sin weeds and weed seeds. Home gardens in Sep- 



How the Government Assists Ed/ucation 365 

tember. Ten ear samples of com. Selecting the 
project flock of poultry. Eeview and management 
lesson. 

A similar course of study has been issued for 
Alabama with special efforts on the cotton growing, 
and also for Marylaad, other states being shortly 
to follow. 

Every state now has at least one so-called *^Land 
Grant'' college, supported in part by Federal aid, 
Bureau of giving instruction in agriculture and 
Education, mechanic arts. Supervision of the ex- 
penditure of the money thus provided is vested by 
Congress in the Bureau of Education, which has a 
** specialist in land grant college statistics," whose 
business it is to see that the Government's money 
is used for the purposes contemplated by the law, 
and in general that the **Land Grant" colleges, or 
** agricultural and mechanical colleges," as they are 
more often termed, are doing their work effec- 
tively. 

There is wide difference in the importance of this 
Federal aid in the various states; in some states 
the Government's contribution forms only a small 
part of the total income of the state college, while 
in others it constitutes the bulk of the available sup- 
port. 

The Division of **IIome Economics" of the Bu- 
reau of Education was organized in 1915 to encour- 



366 Use Your Government 

age tlie teacMng of home economics. The work of 
the Division may be divided as follows : 

(1) It acts as a clearing house of information conr 
oeming methods of teaching home economics all over 
the United States. Through this Division it is pos- 
sible for teachers of domestic economy in the North, 
South, East and West to discover what methods the 
other one has found most successful. 

(2) Thousands of letters are sent out to school 
teachers urging the teaching of home economics to 
the child in the grade school and high school and to 
the young girls of the colleges and normal schools. 
During April of this year, for instance, there was 
sent out 20,533 circular letters relating to home eco- 
nomics in answer to special requests sent to the 
Bureau of Education. These circular letters relate 
to home economics in public schools and the organi- 
zation and demonstration of home economics in 
classes for the larger cities. 

(3) At the invitation of those in charge officers of 
the Division are sent out to assist in surveys of home 
economics in city school systems and state sup- 
ported institutions of higher education. These sur- 
veys result in the establishment of certain stand- 
ards in the teaching of this subject. The expert of- 
ficials of the Bureau on these occasions give advice 
and make recommendations concerning any phase of 
the work. 

(4) The Division keeps a complete library of 



How the Government Assists Education 367 

home economics books and teachers in the subject 
can arrange to borrow these. The Division also is- 
sues bibhographies on various subjects in home 
economics. 

(5) It also has a list of all schools, universities 
and normal schools teaching home economics, with 
the number of teachers employed. 

It has a list of 5,000 graduates on home econom- 
ics from the land grant colleges. 

(6) Conferences are held by this Division for the 
study of special types of teaching in home econom- 
ics, all special problems being discussed. These 
conferences are of great value to the normal school 
teacher in the general policies of education. 

(7) The correspondence of the Bureau consists in 
giving all manner of advice to those interested con- 
cerning courses of study, equipment, text-books and 
the solving of special problems connected with home 
economics. 



CHAPTER II.— EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND 

ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL CHILD 

LABOR ACT 

The Employment Service of the Department of 
Labor has a division for girls and boys. These 
Department young people in applying for positions 
of Labor, are given expert advice as to profes- 
sional training. If the applicants are still at school 
they are urged to continue their studies. If they 
should have left school an appeal is made to their 
parents or guardians to this effect. They are, how- 
ever, given the benefit of the Employment Service. 
(See page 268.) 

On the first of September, 1917, the Federal Child 
Labor Act came into force. The administration of 
Children's this Act, which it is roughly estimated 
Bureau. concerns 150,000 children, will be en- 
forced by the Children's Bureau. 

The Act, generally speaking, forbids the working 
of children under sixteen years of age in any mine 
or quarry, or of children under fourteen years of 
age in any mill, cannery, workshop, factory or manu- 
facturing establishment. In these establishments, 

368 



Federal Child Labor Act 369 

for which it fixes a fourteen year age limit, it pro- 
hibits employment for more than eight hours in any 
work day, more than six days a week, or work be- 
fore six a. m., or after seven p. m. 



CHAPTER III.— READING CIRCLES 

Bureau of Under the direction of librarians and 
Education, teachers, Boys and Girls ^ Reading Cir- 
cles are organized on the same basis as Parents' 
Reading Circles. (See page 112.) 



370 



CHAPTER lY.— SCHOOL AND HOME GAR- 

DENINa 

The School and Home Gardening Division of the 
Bureau of Education may be said to do for the child 
Bureau of of the cities what the Boys and Girls* 
Education. Club movement of the Department of 
Agriculture does for the child of the rural districts. 
(See page 126.) 

The Bureau of Education found that there existed 
thousands of children in the cities, towns and manu- 
facturing villages with no proper employment out of 
school hours. Investigation showed that these 
amounted to about 13,000,000 between the ages of 6 
and 20. Of these, about 9,750,000 were enrolled in 
the public and private schools. 

Probably only about 5 per cent, of these children 
are able to go on vacations during the summer 
months, and about 85 per cent, remain in their homes 
without proper employment for their idle hours. 
Most of them come from poor homes, where there is 
little opportunity to play, and their spare school 
hours and vacations are spent on the streets, with- 
out any healthy form of amusement. 

Home gardening done by these children under the 

371 



372 Use Your Government 

direction of their school seems to the Bureau of 
Education an urgent need for these youngsters. In 
all the manufacturing villages, suburban communi- 
ties and smaller towns, and in the outskirts of the 
larger towns and cities, there is much valuable land 
in back yards, vacant lots and elsewhere which 
might easily be used for the purpose. The Bureau 
is urging that in every school community of this 
kind there should be at least one teacher who 
knows both theoretical and practical gardening. 
This teacher it maintains should of course be em- 
ployed 12 months of the year, could teach nature 
study, elementary science, and gardening during 
school hours, and should, out of school hours, direct 
the home gardening of the children between the ages 
of 6 and 7 and 14 and 15. 

The teacher should help the children find plots of 
ground near their homes best suited for garden 
work, aid them by some cooperative method in hav- 
ing the lots properly plowed and prepared for cul- 
tivation, help them to select seeds and show them 
how to plant, cultivate and harvest so as to obtain 
the best results. 

The teacher should spend afternoons and Satur- 
days of winter, spring and fall, when school is in 
session, and all of the vacation days of summer, vis- 
iting the children in their homes, directing their 
work, and giving each child such help as it needs. 
Once a week or oftener, during the vacation months. 



School and Home Gardening 373 

the teacliers should assemble their children in groups 
for a discussion of their work and the methods they 
should employ. 

The plan is that vegetables, berries and fruits 
grown should be first used for the children and their 
families. The surplus could be marketed to the 
best advantage, with the teacher's help. Ten or 
fifteen cents' worth of vegetables each day from the 
garden of 200 children would amount to quite an 
important sum. In summer and fall, when the sur- 
plus is large and cannot well be marketed to ad- 
vantage, the teacher could direct and help the chil- 
dren in canning and preserving for winter and home 
use or for sale. 

Experiments made have shown that with proper 
direction an average child can produce on an eighth 
of an acre pf land from $50 to $100 worth of vege- 
tables a year. A third of the children in the city 
schools, therefore, might easily produce $300,000,000 
a year. 

In connection with the recently passed Child La- 
bor Laws, this Bureau draws attention to the fact 
that a boy of 12 with a small plot of land, working 
under careful attention, can produce more towards 
the support of his family than he could were he 
working in a mill or factory. 

The work of the School and Home Gardening Di- 
vision falls under the following heads: 

(1) Interesting the superintendents of city 



374 Use Your Government 

schools and school boards to employ at least one 
teacher for each elementary school in practical and 
theoretical garden work. 

(2) The furnishing of every kind of information 
concerning this work, past experiments and their 
results, etc. 

(3) In going to the various towns and cities and 
as far as possible making extensive demonstrations 
and assisting in the training of teachers for the 
work, and showing communities that the expenses 
of the teachers are amply compensated for by the 
results achieved. 

(4) The issuing of innumerable pamphlets with 
instructions for practical gardening and growing of 
vegetables for pupils as well as teachers, especially 
adapted for small town lots. 

(5) At request surveying cities and towns so as 
to report to the superintendent of schools the pos- 
sibilities for gardening existing there. 



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